Public health news in Portugal

The Directorate-General for Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) announced that the risk of Shamonda virus transmission to humans in Portugal is very low. The clarification follows the detection of the livestock pathogen on Portuguese farms and the confirmation of a rare human case in France. Health authorities confirmed that no human cases have been reported in Portugal and that monitoring of livestock herds remains in place.

Extreme heat caused more than 50,000 excess deaths across urban areas in 30 European countries during the summer of 2026, according to two studies published in the journal Nature Health. The research attributed two-thirds of the fatalities directly to climate change, concluding this summer was the continent's deadliest on record. In Portugal, researchers registered 474 heat-related deaths across 14 monitored cities between June and August.

The Directorate-General for Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) confirmed five new cases of measles (sarampo) in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region since October 6. The newly identified infections bring the national total to 15 confirmed cases this year. Health officials reminded the public that measles is highly contagious through airborne transmission, urging residents to verify that their vaccinations are up to date.

More than 31,000 children in mainland Portugal received immunisations against Respiratory Syncytial Virus during the first month of the seasonal campaign, according to the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS). The campaign runs through 31 March and targets around 84,000 eligible infants, including premature babies and children at high clinical risk. Health officials reported strong early uptake, aiming to prevent severe pediatric respiratory infections and ease seasonal pressure on hospitals.

The Portuguese Nurses' Union Association (Associação Sindical Portuguesa dos Enfermeiros or ASPE) warned of persistent technical failures in Portugal's national vaccination platform. The union called on the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (Serviços Partilhados do Ministério da Saúde or SPMS) to implement urgent fixes to resolve operational bottlenecks. Nurses noted that the technical issues are creating delays in administering and recording vaccines.

Update: Health Agency Acknowledges Constraints but Defends Vaccine Rollout

SPMS acknowledged technical constraints in the vaccination platform caused by heavy demand at the launch of the seasonal vaccination drive for flu and COVID-19. The agency stated that the glitches never put the national vaccination program at risk, following complaints raised by ASPE.

The Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) warned of poor air quality across mainland Portugal on Friday and Saturday due to an incoming warm air mass carrying dust from North Africa. Health authorities advised vulnerable populations, including children and people with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor physical exertion. Inhaled particulate matter is expected to affect visibility and increase pollution levels nationwide throughout the weekend.

The São José Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde de São José) in Lisbon hired 137 nurses between July and early October to reinforce hospital frontline care. The newly recruited nursing staff were deployed to high-pressure departments, including intensive care units, surgical operating rooms, and emergency services. Hospital officials said the additions help address critical staffing needs across the public medical facility.

The Lusíadas Saúde group has inaugurated its eighth hospital unit, Lusíadas Beloura, following a 40 million euro investment. Health Minister Ana Paula Martins attended the opening of the facility, which is designed to serve the Sintra and Cascais regions with capacity for 100,000 consultations annually. Separately, hospitals in the Oeste region are investing 2.5 million euros to replace aging CT scan equipment.

The World Health Organization has confirmed that Portugal recorded 66 cases of the mpox 1b subvariant over the last six weeks. Health authorities also identified community transmission of the virus, marking the highest number of reported cases among European countries.

The Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde or ULS) of Castelo Branco has confirmed the presence of the Aedes albopictus mosquito, a known vector for dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. While no infected mosquitoes have been detected in Portugal, health authorities have implemented an enhanced monitoring plan and requested public cooperation to manage the risk.

The Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) has issued a warning regarding poor air quality caused by suspended dust from North Africa. The health authority recommends that the general population avoid outdoor activities and that vulnerable individuals remain indoors until the air mass clears.

Provisional data from the platform EuroMomo indicates that over 30,000 excess deaths occurred across Europe between mid-June and mid-August, a period marked by exceptional heatwaves. In Portugal specifically, authorities recorded more than 600 excess deaths during the same timeframe.

Health authorities in Horta, Faial, are investigating an outbreak of gastroenteritis that has affected more than 400 people since August 1. Officials have stated there is currently no evidence linking the illness to the local water supply.

The Ricardo Jorge National Institute of Health (Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge or INSA) reported 680 excess deaths in Portugal during three periods this summer. The highest mortality spike occurred between July 2 and July 8, coinciding with an extreme heatwave that health authorities say aggravated pre-existing conditions, particularly among those aged 75 and older. Separately, data shows that road mortality has remained stagnant over the last decade, with 589 road deaths recorded in 2025.

The Azores Regional Government is launching an independent scientific investigation into long-term pollution linked to the Lajes Air Base on Terceira Island. Authorities plan to urgently test local cattle for heavy metal contamination and have commissioned a technical committee to assess health risks to the population.

Recent heatwave conditions have resulted in nearly 200 excess deaths across Portugal over the last five days, with 62 deaths recorded on Monday alone. While the World Health Organization (WHO) warns that European nations must treat the heat as a public health emergency, the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) currently rules out an extreme scenario for the country.

Update: Heatwave linked to 63 excess deaths

The Secretary of State for Health confirmed that 63 excess deaths have been directly associated with the recent heatwave as of July 6. Authorities noted that while demand for the SNS 24 health line and emergency services has increased, the overall pressure on hospital emergency departments remains manageable.

The Coordination and Regional Development Commission of Lisbon and Tagus Valley has detected harmful ozone concentration levels in Olivais and Alverca. Authorities warn that these levels exceed safety thresholds and may pose risks to public health.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that Europe has recorded over 1,300 excess deaths linked to extreme heat since June 21. The WHO warns that the continent is warming twice as fast as the global average, with homes and workplaces often ill-equipped to handle the rising temperatures.

Health experts have reported an increase in newborns diagnosed with congenital syphilis in Portugal. Professionals warn that each case represents a failure within the national healthcare system to provide adequate prenatal care and screening.

The president of the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (Autoridade Nacional do Medicamento e Produtos de Saúde or Infarmed) guaranteed that all COVID-19 vaccination decisions were based on clinical trial evidence. Health authorities reiterated that the process remained transparent and that no safety protocols were bypassed.

The government has opened 332 medical vacancies in underserved geographical areas, offering increased incentives to attract staff. The positions include 109 for family doctors, 210 for hospital specialties, and 13 in public health, with the Amadora/Sintra Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde or ULS) receiving the highest number of family medicine openings.

Seven cases of Hantavirus have now been confirmed. There are also two cases under investigation.

The World Health Organization (Organização Mundial da Saúde or OMS) has recommended a 42-day quarantine for passengers from a cruise ship affected by a hantavirus outbreak. While the recommendation includes active monitoring, the decision to implement these measures remains at the discretion of individual countries.

New research from the Nova School of Business and Economics indicates that chronic diseases are increasing in Portugal and appearing at younger ages. The study highlights a disproportionate impact on the most economically disadvantaged citizens, who are experiencing more complex health outcomes.

The Aedes albopictus mosquito, known for transmitting diseases like dengue and Zika, has expanded its presence to 28 municipalities across Portugal, an increase of ten from 2024. Recent data from the National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge (Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge or INSA) confirms new detections in Lisbon, Oeiras, Almada, and Sesimbra.

The mosquito species capable of transmitting dengue and yellow fever has been identified in 28 municipalities across Portugal in 2025, according to the National Institute of Health (Instituto Nacional de Saúde or Insa). This represents an increase of 10 municipalities compared to 2024, with recent detections in Lisbon, Oeiras, Almada, and Sesimbra.

The government has updated the payment rates for private providers contracted by the SNS to perform diagnostic and therapeutic exams. The Ministry of Health stated the measure aims to reduce access constraints for patients, specifically for ultrasounds and mammograms, and includes the introduction of digital breast tomosynthesis to the list of covered procedures.

The Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) has expanded the national vaccination program to include free HPV vaccines for women up to age 26. The initiative aims to reach individuals who missed the recommended vaccination age. Men remain eligible for the vaccine under the program until age 18.

The Portuguese Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology (Sociedade Portuguesa de Alergologia e Imunologia Clínica or SPAIC) has issued a warning for high pollen concentrations across mainland Portugal from April 3 to April 9. The forecast indicates elevated risks from various tree species, including cypress, pine, and birch, as well as several types of grasses. Residents in the autonomous regions are expected to experience lower pollen levels during this period.

A new report from the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) shows an increase in fetal and infant mortality rates across Portugal in 2024. The fetal mortality rate rose to 4.1 per 1,000 births, while infant mortality reached 3.0 per 1,000 live births. Parents and expectant families should note that the DGS is calling for strengthened prevention strategies to address these complex social and health trends.

Update: Maternal age linked to increased risk in new report

New data from the DGS reveals that more than half of maternal deaths recorded between 2020 and 2024 occurred in women aged 35 or older. The report confirms that 61.8% of these deaths involved pregnancies considered to be at higher risk due to age. Expectant mothers over 35 should be aware that health authorities are emphasizing the need for closer monitoring during and after pregnancy.