“Vietnam ramps up emergency measures as severe measles cases surge”.
According to the Ministry of Health, from the beginning of the year to March 20, more than 42,400 suspected measles cases have been reported nationwide, with over 4,000 cases confirmed through testing. At least six deaths from measles have been recorded in the past three months. On March 29, Deputy Minister of Health Tran Van Thuan signed an emergency document sent to hospitals and health departments across 63 provinces and cities, outlining measures for triage, admission, treatment, and infection control of measles within healthcare facilities.
Published: March 30, 2025.
WHO: “Cholera – Angola”.
Since January 2025, Angola has been experiencing a substantial cholera outbreak. As of 23 March 2025, a total of 8543 cases and 329 deaths (Case Fatality Rate (CFR) 3.9%) have been reported, with one-third of the deaths occurring in the community. The outbreak has rapidly spread to 16 out of Angola’s 21 provinces, affecting individuals of all age groups, with the highest burden among those under 20 years old.
Published: March 28, 2025.
“There are 153 cases of measles in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico”
The state Health Secretariat reported that, as of Friday, April 4, a total of 153 confirmed cases of measles have been recorded in the state. The agency continues to monitor the evolution of the outbreak and implement the necessary measures to contain it (vaccination predominantly). There is a possibility that the first cases were associated with the measles outbreak in the northern US border state of Texas.
Published: April 4, 2025.
https://www.tiempo.com.mx/noticia/153_casos_de_sarampion_87_en_cuauhtemoc_24_en_la_capital_salud/
CEPI: “Exploiting fungus growth for rapid and affordable vaccine development”
CEPI is providing US$4.5 million to non-profit Fondazione Biotecnopolo di Siena (FBS) for proof-of-concept research that will explore whether producing antigens in C1 filamentous fungus—applying technology owned by Dyadic International (Nasdaq:DYAI)—is a faster and cost-effective alternative to the more established route of producing antigens in mammalian cells.
While producing protein antigens in mammalian cells is an effective way of developing protein-based vaccines, the process can take four to six months.
Published: March 19, 2025.
https://cepi.net/exploiting-fungus-growth-rapid-and-affordable-vaccine-development
“Chlamydia vaccine candidate granted fast track designation by the US FDA”
The US Food and Drug Administration has granted fast track designation to Sanofi’s mRNA vaccine candidate for the prevention of chlamydia infection. The decision was based on the potential of the vaccine candidate to address a serious condition and address an unmet public health need.
Published: March 26, 2025.
“Promising Phase 3 Trial of Tuberculosis Vaccine is Running Ahead of Schedule”
A Phase 3 trial for the tuberculosis vaccine known as M72/AS01E is running a year ahead of schedule and has already recruited 90% of the 20,000 people it needs, according to Dr Alemnew Dagnew, who leads its clinical development.
Published: March 21, 2025.
“Chikungunya in Reunion (French Department in the Indian Ocean): week 10 to 16 March 2025”
Published: March 27, 2025.
The chikungunya epidemic is now widespread throughout the country and continues to spread. From March 10 to 16, 2025, 4,156 new cases were reported, a 16% increase compared to the previous week. Since August 2024: 13,594 cases reported. To date, 15 serious cases have been reported, including eight adults and seven newborns, and two deaths. In response to the epidemic, the Franco-Austrian pharmaceutical group Valneva announced that it would supply 40,000 doses of its IXCHIQ vaccine from the beginning of April.
“African CDC”
Published: April, 2025.
ECDC: “Dengue worldwide overview”
Published: March, 2025.
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/dengue-monthly.
“PAHO issues new epidemiological alert amid rising yellow fever cases in the Americas”
The number of confirmed human cases as of March 22 has more than doubled compared to the total recorded in all of 2024, raising concerns about a potential expansion of the disease.
In the first almost three months of 2025, 131 human cases have been confirmed, with 53 deaths.
Published: April 2, 2025.
“Uganda launches Africa’s largest malaria vaccine rollout to date”
Published: April 2, 2025.
Uganda is introducing the malaria vaccine at an unprecedented scale, joining the ranks of nearly 20 countries that have introduced a malaria vaccine into their routine childhood immunization schedules.
“Sagaing Earthquake in Myanmar: Situation Report – 4th Edition”
WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Published: April 4, 2025.
https://www.who.int/southeastasia/internal-publications-detail/who-mmreq-Srep0404254
“Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific as of 01 April 2025 (Dengue, Influenza, Pertussis, Measles, and others)
Published: April 1, 2025.
https://reliefweb.int/map/world/epidemic-and-emerging-disease-alerts-pacific-01-april-2025.
“Mexico’s Pertussis Outbreak Awaiting Spring Breakers”
As of March 3, 2025, 120 pertussis cases have been confirmed across 21 Mexican states. led by Nuevo León (24 cases). This increase is very concerning compared to the 15 cases recorded in the same period in 2024. Mexico isn’t alone in reporting a spike in pertussis cases.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that the number of pertussis cases in the United States increased last year. As Spring Break vacationers plan their trip to Mexico in March 2025, the local government has issued an alert regarding a vaccine-preventable disease.
https://www.vax-before-travel.com/2025/03/03/mexicos-pertussis-outbreak-awaiting-spring-breakers.
“Uganda launches historic malaria vaccine rollout to protect over 1.1 million children”
Uganda Launches Malaria Vaccine to Protect 1.1M Children
April 2025- Apac, Uganda- Uganda’s Ministry of Health, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi) and alliance partners, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), PATH and CHAI rolled out a malaria vaccination campaign in Apac District, northern Uganda. This makes Uganda the 19th country in Africa to introduce the malaria vaccine into routine immunisation and it is the largest vaccine rollout to date in terms of target districts and population.
The R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccine, administered in four doses at 6, 7, 8, and 18 months, will initially target 1.1 million children under two years in 105 high and moderate transmission districts across Uganda, with plans to expand nationwide.
“DR Congo’s conflict and cholera: a call for ring vaccination”
DR Congo’s conflict and cholera: a call for ring vaccination – The Lancet Infectious Diseases
Although novel, a ring vaccination strategy for cholera is subsumed under the broader guidance to avert expansion of cholera outbreaks and is feasibile. Gavi is currently supporting the countries around the conflict region in DR Congo. Areas affected by conflict are included in the approved plan. Therefore, ring vaccination should be seen as a promising strategy to propel swift action. Although a ceasefire should be pursued to enable vaccination and other public health efforts in the conflict area, parallel efforts to protect the population in the periphery of the conflict are crucial, achievable, and should be actioned without delay.
“October 2024 ACIP Meeting Update: Influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and Other Vaccines”
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a group of medical and public health experts that provides advice to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, normally meets 3 times per year to develop US vaccine recommendations. The ACIP met October 23 to 24, 2024, to discuss influenza vaccines, chikungunya vaccines, COVID-19 vaccines, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) immunizations, meningococcal vaccines, human papillomavirus vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines, and adult and child/adolescent immunization schedule revisions. This update summarizes the proceedings of these meetings, with an emphasis on topics that are most relevant to the pediatric population. Major updates for pediatric clinicians include information regarding COVID-19 and influenza vaccine recommendations, meningococcal vaccination considerations, and updates regarding the implementation and effectiveness of RSV immunization in pregnant people and infants.
“Mexico reports first human death from H5N1 bird flu”
Published: April 8, 2025.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/mexico-reports-first-human-death-h5n1-bird-flu-2025-04-08/.
