Key Points

• The 2026 seasonal surge has reached a high level (142 cases to date). The number of cases occurring in March exceeds the highest monthly total recorded since surveillance began in 2008 (66 cases to date versus 61 in 2024, a record year with 295 cases reported over the course of the year).
• The data confirmed the known epidemiological profile: a predominance of males (89%), a majority of cases among those aged 45–59 and 60–74, and the eastern and southern regions being more heavily impacted (based on the cases’ residential areas). Agricultural and livestock activities remained the main reported sources of infection, although freshwater recreational activities were reported more frequently this year. These data underscore the importance of implementing preventive measures in wet environments potentially contaminated by animals.
• The presence of unprotected wounds and walking barefoot or in open-toed sandals were risk factors for infection frequently reported by cases.
• Six out of 10 cases were hospitalized, and 1 case died. The high proportion of cases requiring hospitalization in critical care units (28% of hospitalized cases) underscores the potential severity of this zoonosis.