Coronavirus Breaking News

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) recently confirmed that an outbreak of rabies in wildlife across Hays County and the Austin metropolitan area, primarily affecting red foxes.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra issued a public health notice on Facebook on January 10, 2026, to alert residents about the situation. While officials have emphasized that there is no imminent threat to human life, rabies remains a serious and potentially fatal disease that can spread to pets, livestock, and humans through exposure, such as bites or scratches from infected animals.

Texas residents are advised to avoid approaching or handling any wildlife, especially if the animals appear disoriented, aggressive, or unusually tame. Hays County officials are working closely with local healthcare providers, veterinary services, and animal control agencies to monitor the outbreak and ensure readiness.

The Health Department says to protect themselves, their families, and their animals, officials recommend getting pets and livestock vaccinated against rabies as soon as possible. Texas law requires dogs and cats to be vaccinated.

Free rabies vaccination clinics are available in the county for animals, including one on January 17, 2025, at the PALS Clinic in San Marcos, TX.

While foxes are common carriers of the virus in central Texas, most rabies cases in the United States are related to bat bites. Travis County, which includes the Austin metro area, had the highest number of reported rabies cases with 68 cases (63 of which were bats) in 2024.

In 2025, DSHS and the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted air-dropping of oral rabies vaccines in several states to help reduce wildlife outbreaks.

For humans, DSHS confirms rabies is a vaccine-preventable viral disease. Two types of vaccines protect people against rabies: nerve tissue and cell culture vaccines.

While the Zika virus (ZIKV) has faded mainly from global headlines since the major outbreaks of 2015-2016, low-level transmission of this mosquito-borne and sexually transmitted virus continues in parts of Mexico, according to recent data from health authorities.

As of January 11, 2026, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Mexico's National Epidemiological Surveillance System report that Mexico confirmed 30 autochthonous (locally acquired) Zika cases in 2024, with only four additional cases reported in 2025.

The three Mexican states with the highest number of ZIKV-positive cases during that outbreak were Veracruz, Nuevo León, and Yucatán. These areas, particularly in coastal and lowland regions, remain at-risk for millions of visitors each year due to the presence of Aedes mosquitoes.

A study published in October 2025 analyzed data from the 2016-2018 outbreak period in Mexico, reviewing 13,259 suspected ZIKV cases tested by RT-qPCR from August 2016 to January 2018. Of these cases, 10.7% (1,419) tested positive for Zika virus disease (ZVD).

Notably, 25% (3,313) of the ZIKV-positive cases were in pregnant women, highlighting the ongoing risk to maternal and fetal health during periods of higher virus circulation.

The PAHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say ZIKV infection during pregnancy can lead to serious complications, such as congenital Zika syndrome, which includes microcephaly and other congenital disabilities.

The CDC classifies Mexico as having current or past Zika transmission and ZVD, which indicates a potential risk.

However, as of January 11, 2026, no CDC Travel Health Notice for Zika is in effect for Mexico. The CDC has shifted away from blanket recommendations against travel for pregnant women to Mexico but continues to advise caution.

These health agencies advise travelers, especially pregnant women or those planning pregnancy, to take strict measures to prevent mosquito bites when visiting at-risk areas such as Mexico.

Although there is currently no Zika vaccine available, clinical research continues.

Recent data from PAHO dashboards indicate that sporadic Zika confirmations have been reported in Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Peru.

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) issued an alert today regarding the possibility of earlier or more intense respiratory virus activity during the 2025-26 season compared to previous years.

As of January 9, 2026, PAHO/WHO recommends that Member States remain vigilant to adjust their health service preparedness and organizational plans in anticipation of possible concurrent outbreaks of seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.

Globally, influenza activity has increased since late 2025.

Some countries are reporting an early onset of the influenza season, with influenza A(H3N2) viruses being the most predominant, while A(H1N1)pdm09 is the primary strain in the Andean subregion.

In the Americas Region, the influenza positivity rate remains above 10% in the Northern Hemisphere. The intensity of activity varies, with positivity levels approaching 20% in the Caribbean and Central America.

Countries such as Barbados, Canada, Ecuador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, and the United States are reporting high levels of influenza circulation.

In contrast, RSV circulation remains low.

Regarding this season's flu shots' effectiveness, many are questioning whether the updated vaccines provide adequate protection against the disease.

A study from the University of Pennsylvania released on January 6, 2026, found that while subclade K viruses are antigenically advanced compared to the vaccine strain, the 2025-2026 vaccine still elicited robust antibody responses in many participants.

Furthermore, the PAHO/WHO recommends flu shots for international travelers before visiting outbreak areas.

Access to influenza vaccines remains robust in the USA, with most clinics and pharmacies offering services as of January 10, 2026.

As the global effort to eradicate polio intensifies in 2026, needle-free technology is becoming increasingly popular in the Middle East and surrounding regions.

In a notable advancement for polio eradication in one of the world's last endemic countries, Afghanistan's polio program began using needle-free technology for the first time in late 2025.

During a multi-phase fractional inactivated polio vaccine (fIPV) campaign in Afghanistan's eastern region, the initiative targeted over 1.2 million children across 50 districts in four provinces.

The new intradermal jet injectors—also known as needle-free devices—were combined with the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to enhance immunity against wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1).

This innovative approach provided children with both a fractional IPV dose via jet injector and the oral vaccine, offering dual layers of protection against polio.

The PharmaJet Tropis® ID system, a WHO-prequalified needle-free injector, delivered tiny, precise streams of the fractional-dose IPV through the skin in a split second. This painless method eliminated the need for needles, reducing fear among children and caregivers while improving acceptance in remote and high-risk communities.

Speaking about the campaign to the Polio Eradication Initiative on January 1, 2026, polio vaccinator Mohammad Ibrahim expressed his excitement in a press release: "It is much easier than needle injections. I'm confident to go into the field and vaccinate children."

Vaccinator Zahir Islam noted that when communities learned the device was needle-free and painless, they became eager to participate. Community and religious leaders endorsed the method as safer and faster, helping to rebuild trust in vaccination efforts. This campaign not only provided essential protection but also strengthened community engagement in a region critical to global polio eradication.

As of late 2025, Afghanistan had reported around 9 WPV1 cases, confirmed in provinces like Uruzgan, Helmand, Badghis, Nuristan, Paktika, and Farah.

This new, large-scale introduction builds on the successful use of the Tropis system in countries like Egypt.

In November 2025, PharmaJet announced the incorporation of Tropis into immunization programs, supporting Egypt's "1000 Golden Days" initiative.

These polio eradication programs are essential, as a WHO Committee unanimously concluded in 2025, the risk of the international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

In the long term, the manufacturing of Tropis and other needle-free product development initiatives may expand the benefits of vaccination against other infectious diseases and enhance pandemic preparedness.

In 2025, mainland Europe saw a notably high number of locally acquired chikungunya virus cases, primarily in France and Italy. Chikungunya outbreaks in 2025 highlight the growing health risk of mosquito-borne diseases to residents and visitors in Europe.

This represented a significant increase compared to previous years, driven by the presence of the Aedes albopictus mosquito vector and favorable summer conditions.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) seasonal surveillance report as of December 31, 2025, a total of 788 cases were reported in France and 384 cases in Italy, all locally acquired.

As of January 8, 2026, no new cases have been reported, and all clusters in both countries are now closed. The ECDC has concluded that until weather conditions change, there is minimal risk until the warmer spring or summer months.

As of early 2026, two chikungunya vaccines have been authorized for use in the European Union: IXCHIQ, a live-attenuated single-dose vaccine approved in June 2024, and VIMKUNYA, a non-live virus-like particle vaccine approved in February 2025. Both vaccines protect against the virus, with VIMKUNYA serving as an alternative for those who may not be suitable candidates for live vaccines.

Vaccine availability varies by member state, and vaccination is generally recommended for travelers to endemic areas in France and Italy.

The ECDC says these vaccines represent a crucial tool in preventing future outbreaks amid the expanding presence of mosquito vectors in Europe.

In the United States, chikungunya vaccines are commercailly offered at travel clinics such as Passport Health.

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) has reported an additional 26 cases of measles, bringing the total number of cases in Upstate South Carolina to 211.

As of January 6, 2026, DPH confirmed that 196 of these cases were among unvaccinated individuals.

Currently, 144 people are in quarantine, and seven individuals are in isolation, with the latest quarantine period ending on January 28, 2026.

Based on the recent cases in South Carolina, DPH has identified public exposure at two schools: Sugar Ridge Elementary and Boiling Springs Elementary.

Exposures have also been reported at several churches, including Tabernacle of Salvation Church, Slavic Pentecostal Church of Spartanburg, Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, and Ark of Salvation Church.

Although complications from measles are not reportable, DPH has learned that four individuals, including both adults and children, required hospitalization due to complications. Additional cases received medical care for measles but were not hospitalized.

DPH emphasizes that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and stop this outbreak.

The department has confirmed it will prioritize requests for MMR vaccination events if received and will take steps to increase appointment availability for MMR vaccinations at health department locations, should demand rise. Vaccines are available at many primary care providers' offices, pharmacies, and DPH Health Departments.

According to the U.S. CDC, North Carolina has also reported measles cases in 2026.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Division of Public Health announced additional measles cases among three siblings in Buncombe County. The family had recently visited Spartanburg County, South Carolina.

The CDC also clarified that measles vaccine breakthrough cases are rare, as the two-dose MMR vaccine regimen is highly effective, typically over 97% effective at preventing the disease

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported nine influenza-associated pediatric deaths so far in the 2025-2026 flu season, according to the Week 52 FluView surveillance report.

The CDC's most recent data, covering the week ending December 27, 2025, revealed one additional pediatric death for the current season. All reported deaths this season have been linked to influenza A viruses, with several cases involving the predominant H3N2 strain.

The latest CDC update also included a late-reported pediatric death from the 2024-2025 season, raising that season's total to 289. This is the highest number of flu-related child deaths recorded since the CDC began mandatory reporting in the 2004-2005 season.

While severity indicators remain relatively low as of early January 2026, the CDC states that influenza activity is expected to continue for several weeks. 

As flu viruses circulate alongside other respiratory viruses, public health officials urge the public to adopt preventive measures, such as practicing hand hygiene and staying home when sick, to protect others. Antiviral treatments are also advised for high-risk individuals, including children, if started early.

The CDC continues to recommend annual flu shots for everyone aged six months and older, emphasizing that it's not too late to get vaccinated, and clinics and pharmacies in the United States have ample supply. Additionally, qualifying people can order at-home flu shots (FluMist®, Fluenz® Tetra) in 2026.