Coronavirus Breaking News

While local cases of malaria are rarely reported in the United States, there were 10 cases across four states in 2023.

According to a news release, Washington State may soon be added to this list of affected areas.

On August 6, 2025, a press release announced that a resident of East Pierce County, who had not traveled recently, was diagnosed with malaria in early August. Dr. James Miller, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Officer, stated, "The risk of contracting malaria in Pierce County remains very low."

"Malaria is generally rare in the U.S., and the vast majority of cases occur after exposure to countries where malaria transmission is ongoing."

In the U.S., approximately 2,000 to 2,500 cases of malaria are reported each year, primarily linked to travel. In 2025, states like Florida have reported numerous travel-related cases (28), related principally to travelers from Cuba.

Previously, Florida reported local cases on both coasts.

It is important to note that malaria does not spread directly from person to person.

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. The incubation period—the time from infection to the onset of symptoms—ranges from 7 to 30 days.

Malaria can be treated and cured with prescription antimalarial medications; however, if not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can become life-threatening.

In Africa, two approved vaccines that help prevent malaria are currently in use. However, as of August 7, 2025, these vaccines are not available in the U.S.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today published an update on the Nipah virus (NiV) outbreak in India. Since 2018, Kerala has experienced nine outbreaks of the Nipah virus, which is part of a pattern of recurring spillovers.

As of August 6, 2025, Kerala State health officials have reported four cases to the WHO since mid-May, two of which have been fatal.

Of the latest four patients in India's southwest area, two are from Malappuram district, where previous cases had been reported. The other two are from Palakkad district, which had not seen any earlier cases.

According to the WHO, NiV infection is a bat-borne zoonotic disease transmitted to humans through infected animals, or food contaminated with saliva, urine, and excreta of infected animals.

Since 1998, NiV outbreaks have been reported in Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore.

Currently, the risk of international disease spread is considered low, as there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission of NiV internationally in this event.

The WHO wrote that, with no licensed vaccine or treatment available, public health efforts should focus on raising awareness of risk factors and promoting preventive measures to reduce exposure to the virus, and on early case detection supported by adequate intensive supportive care.

In 2023, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations invested $$100 million in four Nipah vaccine candidates: Auro Vacc, PATH, Public Health Vaccines, the University of Tokyo, and the University of Oxford.

Recently, the U.S. government announced a project in 2025 that would support the development of a Nipah monoclonal antibody (MBP1F5), currently undergoing Phase 1 testing in India and Bangladesh.

According to Mexico's health ministry's latest epidemiological bulletin, an older woman recently died from New World Screwworm (NWS) in the city of Candelaria in Campeche state.

This disease is spread by the fly Cochliomyia hominivora, which deposits larvae that burrow into the flesh of livestock, wildlife, pets, and sometimes people, causing severe damage.

The health ministry has reported 35 human cases of NWS in 2025, mainly from Chiapas state.

Mexico and partners in the United States have been battling a recent northward spread of the fly through Central America.

The US Department of Agriculture writes that in 2023, NWS detections in Panama increased from an average of 25 cases per year to more than 6,500 cases in one year.

Since then, NWS has been detected in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and Mexico, north of the biological barrier that has successfully contained this pest to South America for decades.

On July 9, 2025, Mexico's National Service of Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety, and Quality reported a new case of NWS in Ixhuatlan de Madero, Veracruz, Mexico, which is approximately 370 miles south of the US/Texas - Mexico border.

“The United States has promised to be vigilant, and after detecting this new NWS case, we are pausing the planned port reopenings to quarantine further and target this deadly pest in Mexico. We must see additional progress in combating NWS in Veracruz and other nearby Mexican states to reopen livestock ports along the Southern border," commented US Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, in a press release.

As of August 6, 2024, there are no NWS vaccines available. 

Since the start of the outbreak in May 2022,  the Monkeypox virus (MPXV) clade I and clade II have been detected circulating in multiple countries, including those in Europe.

As of July 28, 2025, there have been 24,995 confirmed cases of mpox (MPX) reported from 29 EU/EEA countries.

Over the last seven weeks, the European CDC reported 12 EU/EEA countries reported 94 mpox cases. 

These countires are led by Germany (56), followed by Spain (14), France (6), Netherlands (5), Belgium (3), Czechia (2), Portugal (2), Sweden (2), Ireland (1), Italy (1), Romania (1) and Slovenia (1).

The ECDC stated on August 1, 2025, that the overall risk remains low for most European populations. However, as summer travel and Pride season are ongoing, transmission of the MPXV could increase, and it is essential to raise awareness of this vaccine-preventable disease.

To the west of Europe, the United Kingdom has reported 14 mpox cases this year in England. As of the end of June 2025, most of these mpox cases have reported direct or indirect links to travel to countries where mpox clade Ib is circulating.

As of August 5, 2025, an effective and safe mpox vaccine (JYNNEOS®, MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®) is available throughout Europe and in the United States.

Throughout 2025, the Florida Department of Health has reported travel-related cases of Dengue fever and Oropouche fever in international travelers returning from Cuba.

Recent data from the Pan American Health Organization indicates that Chikungunya fever, which is also transmitted by mosquitoes, may soon be added to Florida's list of health concerns.

As of August 5, 2025, there have been a total of eight locally acquired Chikungunya cases reported in Cuba this year, with an outbreak confirmed in the Matanzas municipality of Perico, according to the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine.

In Florida, four travel-related cases of Chikungunya were confirmed as of July 2025, with the countries of origin being Bolivia, Brazil, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka.

Fortunately, Chikungunya is a vaccine-preventable disease, with two options available in the United States.

Furthermore, Florida has confirmed 59 dengue cases related to travel from Cuba have been reported in 2025.

Additionally, in 2024, there were 103 reported cases of Oropouche fever among individuals who had traveled to endemic regions, including Cuba. 

Cuba is currently included in Oropouche Travel Health Advisories issued by the U.S. CDC.

The CDC recommends that when planning a visit to Cuba, you speak with a travel vaccine advisor regarding routine and travel vaccine options at least one month before departure.

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health recently announced it is investigating its initial, imported chikungunya fever (CF) case in Hong Kong in 2025.

The patient developed fever, rash, and joint pain following a recent travel history to Foshan City, China. He was admitted for treatment, is now in stable condition, and a blood sample tested positive for the CF virus.

As of August 2, 2025, the CHP reminded members of the public to maintain strict environmental hygiene, mosquito control, and personal protective measures both locally and when travelling outside of Hong Kong.

Over the last few years, mosquitoes have spread the virus that causes chikungunya outbreaks in over 100 countries.

To alert international travelers of this global health risk, the U.S. CDC published a Level 2 Travel Health Advisory on August 1, 2025, regarding an outbreak of chikungunya in Guangdong Province, China. Most of the CF cases have been reported in Foshan City.

The CDC and CHP say people can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites, which includes using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and staying in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors. 

Additionally, the CDC states that if you are pregnant, you should reconsider travel to the affected areas, particularly if you are close to delivering your baby. Mothers infected around the time of delivery can pass the virus to their baby before or during delivery.

Newborns infected in this way or by a mosquito bite are at risk for severe illness, including poor long-term outcomes, writes the CDC.

Furthermore, vaccination is recommended for travelers who are visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak. Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the U.S., and are commercailly available at select retailers.

The Jubilee, also known as the Holy Year, has been taking place in Rome, Italy, since December 2024 and will continue until January 6, 2026.

Significant events are planned throughout various months during this period. For example, on June 15, 2025, Pope Leo XIV addressed a large gathering of children, young people, and adults who had come to Rome for the Jubilee of Sport.

According to the UK's Foreign Travel Advice issued on July 30, 2025, Rome is expected to be very busy during the Jubilee of Youth, which will be held from July 28 to August 3, 2025.

If you are planning to travel to Rome during this time, please refer to the Jubilee 2025 - Holy Year information in the Safety and Security section. Check the official Jubilee website or download the Jubilee app for a calendar of events.

The UK advises that before you travel to Italy, check that you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation. This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Additionally, at least 8 weeks before your trip, consult with a travel advisor about disease protection options for West Nile virus, Dengue, and Chikungunya.

The U.S. CDC states measles is a health risk when visiting Italy in 2025.