Diseases Impacting Europe 2025: Cardiovascular Disease, Influenza & Diabetes Trends

Europe faces significant health challenges heading into 2025, with cardiovascular diseases claiming 1.7 million lives annually and an unprecedented early influenza season sweeping across the continent. Chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease continue rising while new infectious disease threats emerge, placing substantial pressure on healthcare systems.who+1​

Cardiovascular Disease Crisis

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death and disability across Europe, affecting 62 million people and costing €282 billion annually. CVD accounts for one-third of all deaths in the European Union, with many occurring prematurely. Without coordinated action, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is projected to rise by 90% between 2025 and 2050, with deaths increasing by 73.4% to reach an estimated 35.6 million in 2050 (up from 20.5 million in 2025).eanm+2​

In response to this crisis, the European Commission unveiled the "Safe Hearts Plan" on December 16, 2025, which aims to cut cardiovascular deaths by 25% by 2035. The plan prioritizes strengthening prevention through early risk stratification and lifestyle-focused initiatives, enhancing early detection and screening, and improving treatment access and care coordination. The initiative also targets introducing annual checks for blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar for most adults older than 25.euronews+1​

Early and Intense Influenza Season

Europe is experiencing an unusually intense and early influenza season in winter 2025, with more than half of the WHO European Region affected. A new strain—A(H3N2) subclade K—is driving infections and now accounts for up to 90% of all confirmed influenza cases in the European Region. While there is no evidence that it causes more severe disease, this new variant places enormous pressure on health systems because people lack built-up immunity against it.who​

Regionally pooled test positivity in primary care sentinel surveillance rose above 10% in mid-November 2025, marking the official start of the 2025/26 influenza season. The early onset has caught many healthcare systems off-guard, prompting health authorities to recommend protective measures including vaccination and basic hygiene practices.who+1​

Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders

Type 2 diabetes continues its upward trajectory across European Union countries, with all 27 EU nations experiencing increases in diabetes prevalence between 1990 and 2019. The highest relative increases were observed in Luxembourg (males +269.1%, females +219.2%), Ireland (males +191.9%, females +165.7%), and the UK (males +128.6%, females +114.6%). An estimated 74 million adults (11.9% of men and 10.9% of women) are living with diabetes in the WHO European Region.nature+1​

Deaths from diabetes are rising and projected to double between 2005 and 2030. The burden is increasing due to ageing populations and increasing prevalence of risk factors, with estimates suggesting that 1 in 10 Europeans will be living with diabetes by 2045. Contributing factors include ageing populations, increased diagnostic testing, and rising obesity prevalence.who+1​

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is spreading across Europe during the 2025 winter season. This common virus causes cold-like symptoms but can be particularly dangerous in infants and older adults. An RSV epidemic appears to have started in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA), according to health authorities, with an increase in positive tests reported. The virus adds to the respiratory disease burden already intensified by the early influenza season.euronews​

Emerging Infectious Disease Threats

Europe continues monitoring several infectious disease outbreaks requiring attention. Measles cases have been reported across multiple EU/EEA countries, with eight deaths during the last 12-month period reported by Romania (five), France (two), and the Netherlands (one). West Nile virus infections were reported by eight European countries in 2025, with human cases documented in Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Spain.ecdc.europa+1​

Additionally, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) was reported for the first time in Croatia in December 2025, indicating the disease's capability to make significant geographical jumps across Europe. The disease has also been documented in Albania and Kosovo throughout 2025.publishing.service​