2025: A year of health security in action
In 2025 countries across the WHO European Region continued to face overlapping health threats from multiple health emergencies, including armed conflict, infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and climate-driven events.
Through its Division of Health Security, WHO/Europe works with 53 countries and partners to reinforce health security by strengthening International Health Regulations (2005) core capacities such as surveillance and laboratory capacities, epidemic and pandemic preparedness, immunization and AMR accountability, One Health coordination, community resilience, and effective emergency response.
The urgency to tackle health threats in our Region could not be clearer. Between July and December 2025 WHO/Europe analysed over 110 000 pieces of information to spot early warning signs of potential public health risks. This led to the identification of 35 new public health risks and 56 new public health events, including mpox and attacks on health care. In 2025 WHO/Europe responded to 8 graded emergencies.
This overview highlights key milestones achieved this year towards a safer future for all.
A multinational team of experts analysing samples for potential waterborne diseases.
January: Mayotte – collective expertise in action
When Cyclone Chido, the worst storm in 90 years, hit Mayotte, an estimated 100 000 people were displaced and almost 8000 buildings were affected. Over 15 000 people were left without access to electricity, and with limited safe water sources, sanitary conditions were deteriorating. WHO worked with the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network to deploy a rapid response mobile laboratory and international experts to the island, strengthening diagnostic capacity and filling a critical gap in water quality testing and waterborne disease detection.
A child with measles in Kyrgyzstan.
February: Catch-up immunization in Kyrgyzstan to stop measles outbreaks
Kyrgyzstan, like many countries in the WHO European Region, has seen a measles resurgence since 2023, with over 14 000 cases in 2024. In response, the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, WHO and partners intensified vaccination through a 2024 outreach campaign in the most affected region and a nationwide catch-up campaign in spring 2025. These efforts aimed to halt the resurgence and prevent future outbreaks. Measles transmission has since fallen sharply, from a peak of 1954 cases in January 2025 to 21 cases in September 2025.
At the National COVID-19 Memorial Wall in London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
The National COVID Memorial Wall in London, United Kingdom.
March: Building resilience to health misinformation and disinformation
False health information is a serious public health threat. WHO/Europe has strengthened health information integrity by developing new operational tools and building the skills of more than 1500 officials to detect, monitor and respond to mis- and disinformation while engaging communities through trusted messengers. In March WHO established the first ever Collaborating Centre on Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management in Norway, reinforcing preparedness and resilience in this area across the Region.
April: Strengthening emergency coordination
WHO continued to build emergency readiness through simulation exercises in 2025. In April WHO led the Region’s first virtual tabletop simulation exercise in Kosovo*, helping national authorities test early warning, coordination and communication systems, with support from the European Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (right) and International Negotiating Body Co-Chair Anne-Claire Amprou of France (left) celebrate at the conclusion of negotiations.
May: The WHO Pandemic Agreement – a global milestone
Member States adopted the WHO Pandemic Agreement to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response, along with a resolution stating their collective commitment to finalize the Annex outlining the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system. Upon adoption of the PABS Annex, the Pandemic Agreement will open for signatures and become the second legally binding framework aimed at strengthening global health security.
June: Preventing and controlling antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
AMR is among the top 10 global health threats, undermining our ability to treat infections during pandemics, conflicts and crises. In the WHO European Region, AMR causes 133 000 deaths annually and contributes to a further 541 000, costing the European Union/European Economic Area €11.7 billion each year. In June, with support from the European Commission under the EU4Health programme, WHO Europe hosted a subregional meeting bringing together national AMR and infection prevention and control focal points to enhance the implementation of the Roadmap on AMR for the WHO European Region (2023–2030) and strengthen health security.
A woman cools off at a fountain in Rome during hot weather.
July: Rising summer temperatures threaten health
The WHO European Region faced repeated heatwaves in 2025, with record temperatures as early as April. WHO/Europe supported Member States with measures to adapt to and mitigate climate change, including specific guidance on heat–health action plans for 21 countries. It intensified advocacy and public messaging through the #KeepCool campaign and provided targeted advice for high-risk groups, including those attending major events such as the Jubilee in Rome, Italy.
August: Preparing and responding to waterborne disease outbreaks
The WHO County Office in Ukraine, the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, WHO/Europe and partners conducted a large-scale simulation exercise on preparedness and response capabilities for potential waterborne disease outbreaks. The exercise brought together more than 150 key stakeholders at local and national levels to test coordination and rapid response capacity. Special attention was given to testing the rapid response mobile laboratory, previously donated by WHO to the Ministry of Health, which can be rapidly deployed anywhere in the country. The simulation results will help strengthen Ukraine's preparedness and response capacity for public health emergencies.
Olha Bilek is a member of an emergency medical service team working on the frontlines in Ukraine. A large modular unit for emergency medical services was installed by WHO with support from the European Union.
September: WHO emergency response mission to Ukraine
Now in the fourth year of war, Ukraine has withstood over 2760 attacks on health care. WHO continues to support Ukraine through outbreak prevention, trauma care, emergency supplies, capacity-building and infrastructure aid. In 2025 WHO delivered US$ 19.42 million in supplies to 883 facilities and installed modular heating and alternative power sources to keep hospitals functioning through winter disruptions, showing that health systems can endure even in conflict.
In September a 3-level WHO emergency mission assessed needs in frontline regions and reviewed the response. Upon the request of Ukraine’s Ministry of Health, WHO also conducted a comprehensive review of the national response to tuberculosis, HIV, hepatitis and opioid substitution therapy. The findings informed national disease responses and the development of a Global Fund proposal planned for 2026.
Palestinians from Gaza during a medical evacuation to Spain.
October: 1000 medical evacuations from Gaza to the WHO European Region
In October the Region reached a milestone – the reception of 1000 critically ill and injured Palestinians from Gaza for specialized medical treatment. The patients were evacuated through a coordinated effort involving WHO, the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism, other international agencies and participating countries. Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, stated, “To the governments, health-care workers and citizens of the 17 countries who responded so willingly to our medevac request: thank you. Your solidarity reflects the belief that health is a human right, and that empathy knows no borders.”
November: Expanding influenza prevention
Tajikistan’s introduction of a national seasonal influenza vaccination programme marked a major public health milestone: all Member States in the WHO European Region now have such a programme, making the Region the first globally to achieve full implementation. This progress aligns with the second European Programme of Work, adopted in October 2025, which aims to strengthen health security by translating lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic into preventive action on infectious diseases.
Teodor demonstrates the use of an HIV self-test.
December: Undiagnosed HIV – a silent threat
On World AIDS Day 2025, a joint report of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and WHO/Europe showed that 54% of HIV diagnoses in the WHO European Region were late, particularly among heterosexual men and people who inject drugs. Nearly one third involved people born outside the diagnosing country. WHO/Europe supports the HIV response through data, harmonized guidance and action on inequities to end AIDS as a public health threat.