Infection
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
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
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
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,
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
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...
5 human cases of avian influenza identified in Colorado
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced in July 2024 that, in coordination with the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the State Emergency Operations Centre, and CDC, it is reporting a total of five human cases of avian influenza. The cases...
UKHSA whooping cough warning: cases continue
In July 2024 the UKHSA shared data revealing that cases of whooping cough are still increasing with 2,591 cases confirmed in May. A significant number of these cases are reported in babies under 3 months old, who are at greatest risk from the infection. Sadly, there...
WHO update on mpox in South Africa: 3 deaths reported
In July 2024, WHO shared a disease outbreak news update on the mpox situation in South Africa. It stated that, between 8th May and 2nd July 2024, the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) of the Republic of South Africa had notified WHO of...
Study finds increase in STD diagnoses in the US
A study from FAIR Health in July 2024, presented as an infographic, shows that the percentage of commercially insured patients with sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnoses rose by 4.8% from 2020 to 2023. The results are taken from FAIR Health’s repository of over...
CDC confirms fourth human case of avian influenza in the US
The US CDC stated in July 2024 that another human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) virus infection has been identified in the US, in Colorado. It is the fourth case associated with an “ongoing multistate outbreak” in dairy cows, but the first in...
New mpox strain causes concern: “most dangerous yet”
In June 2024 health officials shared concerns about a new mpox strain that is moving along the eastern border of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), describing it as “incredibly worrying”. This variant poses a threat of cross-border and international spread, with...
South Africa announces second mpox death among six cases
In June 2024 South Africa’s Minister of Health, Dr Joe Phaahla, announced an additional laboratory-confirmed case of mpox and a second death linked to the disease. This follows an update that reported a total of 5 laboratory-confirmed cases and the first death. As...
Update from WHO on avian influenza case in Mexico
In June 2024, shortly after a notification of a fatal case of human infection with avian influenza in Mexico, WHO shared a disease outbreak news update to reflect new information from Mexican authorities. WHO was informed that a national multidisciplinary group of...
WHO: outbreaks of Oropouche virus in Cuba present risk
In June 2024, WHO shared a disease outbreak news update stating that it has been notified of outbreaks of Oropouche virus disease in two provinces of Cuba: Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos. This is the first detection of Oropouche virus disease in the country; WHO...
Mexico reports fatal case of human avian influenza A(H5N2)
In June 2024 WHO shared a disease outbreak news update stating that the Mexico International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) had reported a confirmed fatal case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N2) virus. This is the first...
WHO dengue update: over 7.6 million cases this year
In May 2024 the WHO shared a disease outbreak news update on the global dengue situation, stating that by 30th April 2024 over 7.6 million dengue cases have been reported to WHO in 2024. This total includes 3.4 million confirmed cases, over 16,000 severe cases, and...
US: another human avian influenza case but risk “low”
In May 2024 the US CDC announced that a second human case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A (H5) virus infection had been identified in Michigan, the third human case associated with an “ongoing multistate outbreak” of A(H5N1) in dairy cows. The CDC states...
WHO report identifies “major” increase in STIs
A WHO report shared in May 2024 details the continued “significant public health challenges” posed by HIV, viral hepatitis epidemics, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The report identifies increasing cases of STIs across “many regions”, flagging “threats to...
UK cryptosporidium outbreak prompts water concern
The UKHSA shared guidance and information on cryptosporidium in May 2024 following South West Water’s acknowledgement that “small traces” of the parasite were identified in Brixham, south Devon. The water company is investigating the source of the outbreak, with 46...
