Vaccine News

The Regional Health Agency (ARS) of French Guiana has announced the detection of the territory's first locally acquired case of chikungunya. The individual, who had not traveled in the 15 days before the onset of symptoms, tested positive for the virus on January 21, 2026.

As of January 27, 2026, ARS described this chikungunya case in a press release as isolated, with no evidence of wider transmission of the mosquito-borne viral disease in this French department on the northeast coast of South America.

While no large-scale outbreak was reported in French Guiana during 2025, the new locally acquired case indicates the need for renewed vigilance. Health authorities in French Guiana are implementing standard response measures, including enhanced mosquito control, public education on eliminating breeding sites, and surveillance to monitor for additional cases.

Currently, ARS emphasized that, while this remains an isolated case, continued monitoring is essential given the virus's transmission dynamics and the presence of vectors in the territory. 

This development in French Guiana occurs amid significant chikungunya activity in French overseas departments and territories throughout 2025. The virus experienced a considerable resurgence in the Indian Ocean region, particularly in La Réunion, where a large-scale outbreak began in late 2024 and peaked in early 2025.

By mid-September 2025, La Réunion had reported over 54,500 confirmed cases and 40 deaths.

In early 2026, the Pan American Health Organization reported that Brazil (180) and Suriname (39) had reported confirmed chikungunya cases in the region this year.

In the United States, one local case was confirmed in Florida as of week #3 in 2026.

And off Florida's southeast coast, Cuba has confirmed a significant number of chikungunya cases.

Chikungunya has no specific antiviral treatment; management focuses on relieving symptoms through rest, hydration, and pain relievers. Prevention through vector control remains the cornerstone of response efforts.

Additionally, a U.S. FDA-approved single-dose aluminum hydroxide-adjuvanted, non-live, virus-like particle vaccine chikungunya vaccine is available at travel clinics in the U.S.

The Republic of Colombia has issued an updated health alert for yellow fever following 13 confirmed cases and 10 deaths in early 2026.

Among the fatalities are three Bogotá residents who contracted the yellow fever virus (YFV) while traveling to endemic areas, such as the department of Tolima.

This data is concerning, given that Bogota has a population of around 8 million.

According to a Ministry of Health bulletin from January 26, 2026, the outbreak's case-fatality rate of approximately 77% underscores its severity.

The Ministry also reported that from 2024 to late January 2026, there have been 161 confirmed cases nationwide, resulting in 73 deaths.

Previously, the U.S. CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases, Volume 31, Number 12—December 2025, confirmed the reemergence of YFV in the Magdalena Valley, Colombia, between 2024 and 2025.

The CDC wrote, Immediate, comprehensive measures, including mass vaccination, genomic surveillance, and integrated One Health frameworks, are urgently needed. Colombia's experience underscores the need to reevaluate risk stratification and preparedness strategies across the Americas to prevent future yellow fever outbreaks in previously unaffected regions.

Health officials stress that yellow fever is preventable with a single-dose vaccine available free of charge in Colombia and commercially offered in the United States.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released its 62nd situation report on the multi-country mpox outbreak, emphasizing the ongoing circulation of all clades of the monkeypox virus (MPXV). 

In 2025, there were 52,845 reported cases of mpox and 215 related fatalities across 98 countries, with about 44,000 instances originating in Africa.

The WHO urges continued vigilance, enhanced surveillance, and rapid response to contain outbreaks, warning that reduced activities could lead to underreporting. 

In a related announcement on January 22, 2026, H.E. Dr. Jean Kaseya, the Director General of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), announced that the agency has lifted its declaration of a Public Health Emergency of Continental Security concerning mpox. 

He highlighted improvements in country capacity, effective international partnerships, a sustained decline in reported suspected and confirmed cases, and a reduction in case fatality rates.

The Africa CDC stated that this change "signals a transition from emergency response to a sustained, country-led pathway toward the elimination" of mpox.

Separately, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice on January 26, 2026, confirming there are outbreaks of clade II monkeypox in Ghana and Liberia, where monkeypox is endemic. Unlike the ongoing global clade II mpox outbreak that began in 2022, these outbreaks have affected males and females approximately equally.

The CDC says that if you are sick and could have mpox, follow isolation and infection control measures at home and during travel. 

The CDC recommends mpox vaccination (JYNNEOS®, MVA-BN®) for travelers visiting Ghana and Liberia in 2026. For those recommended to receive vaccination, get two doses at least 28 days apart.

In 2026, as the world confronts emerging infectious diseases, the World Health Organization (WHO) remains at the forefront of developing vaccine candidates against the deadly Nipah virus (NiV).

The WHO has outlined a comprehensive pipeline of NiV vaccine candidates, which includes live-attenuated and replication-defective recombinant platforms based on various viruses, such as poxviruses, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), adenovirus, measles, rabies, and virus-like particles, as well as subunit vaccines.

As of January 27, 2026, no vaccine or treatment for NiV has received authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the European Medicines Agency.

However, clinical trials are actively progressing, marking significant milestones in vaccine development.

In 2026, the UK and The Pirbright Institute are supporting the development of vaccines against henipaviruses, including the NiV. 

One standout candidate is the ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine, developed by the University of Oxford's Pandemic Sciences Institute. In December 2025, the university launched the world's first Phase II clinical trial in Bangladesh, a known hotspot for NiV outbreaks.

This trial is conducted in partnership with the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), and is funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). The trial builds on successful Phase I results from 2024, where the vaccine demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in 51 participants.

Professor Dame Sarah Gilbert, a Vaccinology professor at the University of Oxford and developer of the vaccine, highlighted the significance of these advancements in a press release: "This new trial in Bangladesh marks an important step forward in our work to develop a vaccine against the Nipah virus, a deadly health threat that currently lacks an approved vaccine or treatment."

Additionally, the Serum Institute of India is collaborating with Oxford and CEPI to manufacture up to 100,000 investigational doses of ChAdOx1 NipahB, creating the world's largest NiV vaccine reserve for potential emergency use.

While clinical trial challenges remain, such as evaluating efficacy without large outbreaks, these trials represent a critical push toward countering NiV.

As CEPI's investments and international collaborations, such as Hendra@30, the global community moves closer to developing vaccines to prevent future outbreaks caused by this bat-borne virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently announced that seasonal influenza activity is continuing to decline nationwide; however, trends differ among various age groups and regions.

As of January 25, 2026, the CDC's FluView report for week #3 noted a 4.4% decrease in visits to healthcare providers for respiratory illnesses compared to the previous week.

Tragically, the CDC also reported twelve additional influenza-associated pediatric deaths last week, bringing the total for the 2025-2026 season to 44 reported deaths related to influenza in children. Among the children who were eligible for influenza vaccination and had known vaccination status, approximately 90% of the reported pediatric deaths this season occurred in those who were not fully vaccinated against influenza.

However, the CDC's in-season severity assessment framework classified this flu season as moderate across all ages.

To visualize this CDC flu information, the Walgreens Respiratory Illness Index updated its national graphic that highlights which states are reporting flu activity at retail pharmacies.

According to Walgreens, the current leaders include Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, and Oklahoma.

Since the flu season is expected to last a few more months, pharmacies and clinics continue to offer various flu shots throughout the U.S. Additionally, the FluMist vaccine can be administered at home in 2026.

The Jamaica Tourist Board recently welcomed the U.S. Department of State's update to its Travel Advisory for Jamaica, which was downgraded to Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, effective January 17, 2026.

This positive adjustment returns Jamaica to the advisory level it held before Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 Caribbean storm in 2025, reflecting significant progress in the island's recovery and a continued commitment to visitor safety.

Recovery efforts have restored major airports, cleared roads, and reopened the majority of hotels and resorts, with tourism operations now vibrant across key destinations like Montego Bay, Negril, and Ocho Rios.

Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, stated, "The U.S. Department of State's decision to lower the advisory to Level 2 is a strong endorsement of Jamaica's swift and effective recovery."

"Our people, tourism partners, and government have worked tirelessly to ensure that visitors can once again enjoy the warmth, culture, and beauty that make Jamaica one of the world's premier destinations."

"We are open, welcoming, and ready for you."

For example, Jamaica's annual Reggae Month celebrations are held throughout the island each February.

The updated State Department advisory continues to highlight risks related to crime, health, and natural disasters, with no changes to the underlying risk indicators. It also notes that some high-risk regions remain designated as Level 4 ("Do Not Travel") due to crime concerns.

Additionally, Basic and specialized medical care may not be available in many parts of Jamaica. This includes slower emergency service response times and less availability of care for illness or injury.

Furthermore, the U.S. CDC recommends various routine and travel vaccinations before visiting Jamaica in 206. It also says there may be an increased risk of waterborne (including leptospirosis), vector-borne, and fungal diseases.

When planning a trip to Jamaica in 2026, the State Department advises enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate.

For more information, visit jamaica.com or contact the Jamaica Tourist Board.

The state of North Carolina is currently experiencing a measles outbreak, with 11 confirmed cases since late December 2025, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).

As of January 23, 2026, health officials describe these cases as "embers" from a larger outbreak in South Carolina, where over 600 cases have been reported, mainly around Spartanburg County.

The NCDHHS measles dashboard indicates that cases are primarily in the western regions, with Buncombe County having the most cases (6), followed by Polk County (2), Cabarrus County (2), and Rutherford County (1).

Epidemiologists have noted local community transmission in North Carolina, with about 64% of cases in unvaccinated individuals and 34% having received only one dose of the MMR vaccine.

MMR vaccination is now recommended for infants aged 6–11 months in high-risk areas.

Nationally, the U.S. saw 2,144 measles cases in 2025, the highest since elimination in 2000.

Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia and encephalitis. Fortunately, measles-related fatalities are seldom reported in the USA.

For the latest updates, visit the NCDHHS measles dashboard at dph.ncdhhs.gov or consult CDC resources on measles.