Infection
Three human cases of H5 bird flu reported in California
In October 2024, the United States CDC reported a third human case of H5 bird flu in the state of California. This announcement followed the identification
WHO mpox update: 14 countries in “active” outbreaks
A recent WHO situation report on the mpox PHEIC reveals that 14 countries on the continent have reported mpox cases in the last six weeks and are
As Rwanda’s Marburg outbreak worsens, Hamburg sounds alarm
After the announcement of an outbreak of Marburg virus in Rwanda in September 2024 and the initiation of response efforts, reports of suspected
Rwanda reports its first Marburg outbreak with six deaths
In September 2024 WHO’s Regional Office for Africa announced that Rwandan health authorities are “intensifying outbreak control efforts” after detecting Marburg
Chikungunya in India has a “notorious edge this year”
The Times of India reported in September 2024 that cases of chikungunya in children were symptomatic of a “shift” in epidemiology. Case numbers
CDC: confirmed human avian influenza case in Missouri
The United States CDC confirmed in September 2024 that a human case of avian influenza A(H5) has been reported by the state of Missouri. The case was identified through seasonal flu surveillance and an investigation into the potential exposure is underway at the...
WHO: cholera cases increase and OCV stockpile under pressure
In September 2024 WHO published the global cholera statistics for 2023, revealing an increase in cases and deaths. The current global risk from cholera is described as “very high”; WHO is responding “with urgency” to reduce deaths and contain outbreaks. The increased...
Paper details H5N1 detection in Antarctic Region
A paper in Nature communications in September 2024 reports on the detection H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) in the Antarctic, where HPAIV had “never previously been detected”. After initial detection in brown skuas at Bird Island, South Georgia,...
Poliovirus detection in Gaza prompts vaccination campaign
The detection of poliovirus environmental samples from Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah in July 2024 has led to the initiation of an inoculation campaign intended to reach more than 640,000 children. The campaign is supported by a US$5 million pledge from the United Arab...
WHO shares mpox update: newly affected countries
In August 2024 WHO shared a disease outbreak update on the mpox situation in Africa, presenting information on the latest countries that are reporting cases. The outbreak was declared a PHEIC by WHO and PHECS by Africa CDC, prompting efforts to secure vaccines for the...
Sweden reports case of mpox clade 1 after PHEIC declared
In August 2024 the Public Health Agency of Sweden announced that a person who sought care at Region Stockholm has been diagnosed with mpox caused by the clade 1 variant. This is the first case caused by clade 1 to be identified outside the African continent. The...
UKHSA data shows resistant gonorrhoea rising in England
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shared in August 2024 reveals a “concerning rise” in antibiotic-resistant gonorrhoea infections in England. In 2023 over 85,000 gonorrhoea diagnoses were reported in England; this is the highest number since records...
WHO declares “worrying” mpox outbreak a PHEIC
After a meeting of an International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee on 14th August 2024, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced that the mpox outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and a “growing number” of countries...
Africa CDC declares mpox PHECS and prepares for vaccines
In August 2024 Africa CDC declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security (PHECS), which enables the organisation to “lead and coordinate responses to significant health emergencies”. This is the first such declaration by Africa CDC since...
Before mpox emergency meeting WHO prepares for vaccine EUL
In August 2024 WHO issued an invitation for manufacturers of mpox vaccines to submit an Expression of Interest for Emergency Use Listing (EUL). This came shortly after the Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, announced that he has decided to convene an...
UKHSA’s whooping cough warning as cases exceed 10,000
Data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) released in August 2024 reveal that 10,493 laboratory confirmed cases of pertussis in England were reported between January and June 2024. This compares with 856 laboratory confirmed cases reported in 2023. Since the...
PAHO alert warns of growing Oropouche virus danger
The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert in August 2024 that urged Member States to “strengthen surveillance and implement laboratory diagnosis” to address the increase in cases of Oropouche virus (OROV). In 2024 there has been a...
Cape Town considers seal vaccination amid rabies concern
The City of Cape Town, South Africa, shared the results of an expert scientific workshop convened in partnership with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE), the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation, and Sea Search. The workshop focused on a...
Africa CDC shares update on mpox situation in Africa
Africa CDC shared a situation update on mpox on the African continent in July 2024. This reveals that between January 2022 and July 2024 a total of 37,583 cases and 1,451 deaths have been reported. The Case Fatality Rate (CFR) is 3.9%. 15 African Union Member States...
Chandipura virus detected in India “needs more research”
In July 2024 Indian news outlets reported cases and deaths of suspected Chandipura virus (CHPV) in Gujarat. 8 children are said to have died already, with more “battling for their lives”. Samples have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for...
