“On the fifth anniversary of COVID-19, the world must reassess the global tragedy—over 7 million lives lost, trillions of dollars in economic damage, the persistent burden of long COVID, and, most critically, our preparedness for the next pandemic, an ever-present global threat. Yet, nations appear more inclined to invest in warfare than in healthcare prevention, despite the fact that pandemics have historically claimed more lives and caused far greater societal and economic devastation. Moreover, despite the fact that vaccines and vaccination were instrumental in restoring normalcy, anti-science and anti-vaccine movements are expanding at an alarming rate, inflicting immense harm with potentially even deadlier consequences. Have we truly learned from our past?”
https://time.com/7266503/covid-19-pandemic-5-years/
“Summary of WHO Position Papers – Recommendations for Routine Immunization, updated January 2025”
“Kingdom of Saudi Arabia confirms US$ 500 million commitment to global polio eradication effort”
Published: February 24, 2025.
Critical funds will be immediately disbursed to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to help end wild polio in Pakistan and Afghanistan and stop outbreaks of variant polio.
“CDC: Measles Cases and Outbreaks in the US”
Updated to: March 15, 2025.
As of March 15, 2025, the US has reported 301 cases of measles:
Ages:
- Under 5 years: 103 (34%)
- 5-19 years: 126 (42%)
- 20+ years: 63 (21%)
- Age unknown: 9 (3%)
- Vaccination Status
- Unvaccinated or Unknown: 95%
- One MMR dose: 3%
- Two MMR doses: 2%
Of the 301 reported cases, 259 (86%) originated in West Texas, primarily within a Mennonite community, before spreading to New Mexico, other U.S. states, and even Mexico. Among these cases, 50 (17%) required hospitalization, and tragically, two individuals—one child and one adult, both unimmunized—have died.
https://www.cdc.gov/measles/data-research/index.html
https://www.dshs.texas.gov/news-alerts/measles-outbreak-2025
“Weekly Special Press Briefing on the Mpox Outbreak and other Health Emergencies in Africa”
Published: February 24, 2025.
“TBE cases, United Kingdom, 2015-2023”
Published: February 2025.
https://tbenews.com/tbe/tbe-cases-united-kingdom-2015-2023/
“Ixchiq – opinion on variation to marketing authorisation”
Published: February 28, 2025.
Comment: On 27 February 2025, the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) adopted a positive opinion, recommending a change to the terms of the marketing authorisation for the medicinal product Ixchiq. The marketing authorisation holder for this medicinal product is Valneva Austria GmbH. The CHMP adopted an extension to the existing indication to include active immunisation of children from 12 years of age.
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/variation/ixchiq
“Cluster of community deaths in Basankusu, Equateur- Democratic Republic of the Congo”
Published: March 3, 2025
Comment: On 9 February 2025, officials in the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported to regional health authorities a cluster of 24 unexplained community deaths in a single village in Ekoto health area, Basankusu health zone, Equateur province. As of 25 February, a total of 53 deaths have been reported, with the last death occurring on 22 February. Deaths have occurred in all age groups, but adolescents and young adults, particularly males, appeared to be disproportionately affected in the initial cluster reported. Disease progression appeared to be fast, with a median time from onset of symptoms to death of one day. Given the rapid decline in the incidence of reported deaths, their geographic clustering, the age profile of deaths and the rapid disease progression in the initial cluster, working hypotheses include chemical poisoning or a rapid onset bacterial meningitis cluster, on a background of malaria and other infectious illnesses endemic in the region. The definitive cause of illness remains undetermined, with initial samples testing negative for Ebola and Marburg viruses.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2025-DON557
“France’s Next Chikungunya Outbreak”
Published: March 6, 2025.
Comment: On March 5, 2025, a Mamoudzou resident returned from visiting La Reunion Island, another of France’s overseas departments. These departments are separated by the island of Madagascar and the Mozambique Channel. Following this identification, the ARS of Mayotte immediately implemented vector control actions to identify larval breeding sites around the person’s home. Local health professionals and emergency services have been informed of the situation.No indigenous case has been reported in Mayotte to date. Generally, a single, travel-related Chikungunya case does not generate significant actions. However, since late August 2024, La Reunion has been facing a Chikungunya epidemic, with 3,390 cases recorded. In mainland France, 25 travel-related cases were reported in 2024. And, for the first time, Ile de France (Paris) reported a locally acquired Chikungunya case. The World Health Organization says Chikungunya transmissions have occurred frequently in about 110 countries.
https://www.vax-before-travel.com/2025/03/06/frances-next-chikungunya-outbreak
“The world should prepare now for a potential H5N1 flu pandemic, experts warn”
Published: March 6, 2025.
Comment: In a letter to the journal Science, CEPI’s Executive Director for Preparedness and Response Dr Nicole Lurie and six other experts said the bird flu virus – known as H5N1 and known to be very severe in some human cases—had in recent years crossed species from birds to mammals, including dairy cattle, and was now causing widespread exposure and sporadic human infections in the U.S. and beyond. At least one person has died from H5N1 infection in the U.S., and a teenager in Canada suffered critical illness before eventually recovering. “Pandemic preparedness initiatives should be urgently resourced and implemented,” they wrote. “Enhancing readiness now can save lives and reduce societal and economic disruption if H5N1 or another outbreak becomes a pandemic.”
https://cepi.net/world-should-prepare-now-potential-h5n1-flu-pandemic-experts-warn
“Europe’s Chikungunya Cases Come From India and the Caribbean Islands”
Published: March 10, 2025.
With international travel accelerating in 2025, a recent study offers an overview of Chikungunya infections in mainland Europe over the past two decades. This research article provides this mosquito-transmitted disease’s epidemiological characteristics, diversity, and clinical manifestations.
“Africa CDC website.”
“Disease Outbreak News: Sudan virus disease – Uganda, 8 March 2025”
Since the outbreak of Sudan virus disease (SVD) was declared in Uganda on 30 January 2025, and as of 5 March 2025, a total of 14 cases (including 12 confirmed cases and two probable cases) including four deaths (two confirmed and two probable) have been reported.
https://reliefweb.int/report/uganda/disease-outbreak-news-sudan-virus-disease-uganda-8-march-2025
“Chikungunya epidemic in Reunion Island”
The mobilisation of all stakeholders and the population is necessary to avoid a large-scale chikungunya epidemic in Reunion Island.
https://lnkd.in/eqfynutP 23FEB25
“DRC Fever Cases Investigation” Special Briefing on Mpox & other Health Emergencies || March 6, 2025
Video: Special Briefing on Mpox & other Health Emergencies || March 6, 2025
“Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”
Published: March 13, 2025.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Between 6 September 2024 and 28 February 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) reported four cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection, including two deaths, with the last case being reported on 4 February 2025. The cases were reported from the Hail (2), Riyadh (1) and the Eastern (1) Provinces of the KSA (Figure 1). Laboratory confirmation of the cases was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) between 8 November 2024 and 4 February 2025.
All cases involved males aged between 27 and 78 years, and all presented with comorbidities. None were health workers, and from investigations only one was found to have indirect contact with dromedary camels (hosts of MERS-CoV) and their raw products (milk).
Two cases, with symptoms onset in November 2024, were identified within the same hospital. The first case was confirmed on 11 November through RT-PCR testing, and follow-up on close contacts revealed a secondary case that shared the same hospital room and developed symptoms subsequently. Neither of the two patients had direct or indirect contact with dromedary camels, including consumption of raw camel milk in the 14 days prior to the onset of symptoms.
Since the first report of MERS-CoV in KSA in 2012, a total 2618 laboratory-confirmed cases of MERS-CoV infection, with 945 associated deaths (CFR 36%), have been reported to WHO from 27 countries, across all six WHO regions. The majority of cases (2209; 84%), have been reported from KSA, including these newly reported cases. Since 2019, no MERS-CoV infections have been reported from countries outside the Middle East.
“Tanzania declares end of Marburg virus disease outbreak”
Published: March 13, 2025.
Since the last Disease Outbreak News on this event, published on 14 February 2025, no new confirmed cases of Marburg virus disease (MVD) have been reported in the United Republic of Tanzania.
As of 12 March 2025, 10 cases have been reported including two confirmed and eight probable cases. All cases resulted in deaths, including eight who died before the confirmation of the outbreak and were classified as probable cases, resulting in a case fatality ratio of 100%.
The first identified case, an adult female, had symptom onset on 9 December and died on 16 December 2024. The last confirmed case died on 28 January, and a safe and dignified burial was performed. No new confirmed or probable cases have been reported following this burial. All 10 cases were reported from Biharamulo district in Kagera region; the median age of cases was 30 years (range: 1 to 75 years) and the majority of cases (70%, 7) were females.
Cumulatively, 108 suspected cases were reported between 20 January and 11 March, of which 106 tested negative for MVD.
As of 12 March 2025, 281 contacts had been listed, including nine who were subsequently classified as probable and confirmed cases and 272 contacts who completed 21 days of follow-up.
On 13 March 2025, after two consecutive incubation periods (a total of 42 days) without a new confirmed case being reported after the last confirmed case died on 28 January 2025, the Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania declared the end of the MVD outbreak, as per WHO recommendations.
“Human Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) — California, September–December 2024”
Published: Weekly / March 13, 2025 / 74(8);127–133
During September 30–December 24, 2024, a total of 38 persons received a positive test result for HPAI A(H5N1) viruses in California; 37 were dairy farm workers with occupational exposure to sick cows. One, a person aged <18 years with an undetermined exposure, was the first pediatric patient detected with influenza A(H5) infection in the United States.
What are the implications for public health practice?
Public health agencies should investigate influenza-like illness or conjunctivitis in workers with occupational exposure to animals infected with HPAI A(H5N1) virus. Thorough investigations of all human HPAI A(H5N1) virus infections are necessary to identify potential exposure sources, including monitoring the virus for concerning genetic changes that indicate the potential for person-to-person transmission.
“Chad officials seal schools as measles epidemic hits poor district”
Published: February 15, 2025.
