Coronavirus Breaking News

Health officials in Chicago are investigating a concerning cluster of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) cases since January 15, 2026. This investigation is essential as IMD, caused by Neisseria meningitidis, has a case-fatality rate of 10–15%.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) recently reported that four patients developed septicemia, with one also showing symptoms of meningitis. Three individuals required intensive care due to septic shock.

Importantly, the two community-acquired cases have no known links to each other or a temporary shelter, prompting ongoing investigations. Laboratory analysis confirmed that three cases belong to serogroup Y, the predominant strain in Chicago since 2022.

Previously, Janna Kerins, VMD, MPH, Medical Director at CDPH, reported 19 cases of N. meningitidis among Chicago residents in 2022-2024, compared with 1–3 cases annually from 2017 to 2022.

The Health Alert advised healthcare providers to maintain a high index of suspicion for N. meningitidis in individuals presenting with clinically compatible symptoms.

To contain the outbreak in late January 2026, the CDPH is providing post-exposure prophylaxis to close contacts of the affected individuals and coordinating educational efforts and vaccination clinics at the shelter and a newly relocated facility.

Seperately, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says cases of meningococcal disease have increased sharply since 2021. In 2024, 503 confirmed and probable cases were reported, according to preliminary data.

As of January 28, 206, this is the most significant number of U.S. meningococcal disease cases reported since 2013.

The CDC confirms meningococcal vaccines are the best way to protect people against meningococcal disease, but side effects can occur.

For more information about Chicago's latest outbreak, visit the CDPH website or contact local health services.

German health authorities have confirmed the detection of two additional environmental samples positive for wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in Hamburg, a city in northern Germany.

The wastewater samples were collected from the same sewage site in October 2025.

As of January 21, 2026, this marks the first detection of WPV1 in Germany and the first such finding in Europe since 2010.

Significantly, no human cases of paralytic polio have been associated with these findings. Furthermore, there is no evidence of local community transmission or circulation of the virus within Germany.

Genetic analysis indicates that the isolates from these samples in Hamburg are closely linked, suggesting they originate from the same introduction of the WPV1 virus.

The virus strain found in these samples is genetically related to a WPV1 strain previously identified in an environmental sample from Kandahar, Afghanistan, in late August 2025.

The detections appear to be confined to wastewater, likely resulting from virus excretion by one or more individuals who were in the area around the time of sampling—possibly travelers or visitors from regions where WPV1 remains endemic, such as parts of Afghanistan or Pakistan.

Except for those countries, the WHO South-East Asia Region has maintained its polio-free status in 2026.

These detections in Germany were reported as part of the routine environmental surveillance in collaboration with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The GPEI stresses the need for continued efforts to achieve the complete eradication of poliovirus worldwide.

Currently, the U.S. government identifies 32 countries where poliovirus is a health risk, and advises international travelers to speak with a healthcare provider about immunization options, including a polio booster dose when visiting at-risk areas in 2026.

The Ministry of Health of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia today officially declared the end of the country's first-ever outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD), a severe and often fatal hemorrhagic fever.

This declaration was made on January 26, 2026, after two consecutive incubation periods—totaling 42 days—without any new confirmed cases.

This timeline aligns with the World Health Organization (WHO) DON592 recommendations for declaring the end of an MVD outbreak.

The outbreak was first confirmed by the WHO on November 14, 2025, in the South Ethiopia Region, particularly in Jinka.

As of January 2026, there had been a cumulative total of 19 cases: 14 laboratory-confirmed cases (including nine deaths and five recoveries) and five probable cases, all of which were fatal.

This Horn of Africa outbreak marks the 20th reported case of MVD globally. Previous outbreaks have occurred in several African countries, including Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and most recently, Tanzania.

MVD is caused by the Marburg virus, which is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and through human-to-human contact via bodily fluids. Since it was first observed in 1967 during an outbreak in West Germany, the case fatality rate can exceed 80% in some outbreaks.

Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or specific treatments for the Marburg virus, but research is ongoing. The Marburg Virus Vaccine Consortium, established in response to earlier outbreaks in Guinea and Ghana, is advancing vaccine development.

And in early January 2026, the Oxford Vaccine Group and the Pandemic Sciences Institute confirmed they are collaborating with the Institute for Drug Discovery at Leipzig University and Moderna, with support of up to $26.7 million from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and the European Union's Horizon Europe program to develope multivalent vaccines that provide broad protection against multiple filoviruses, including the Ebola virus (Zaire ebolavirus), Sudan virus, Bundibugyo virus, and MVD.

Vax-Before-Travel will continue monitoring developments related to emerging infectious diseases.

Bavarian Nordic A/S today announced an agreement with Eurofarma, granting the Brazilian pharmaceutical company exclusive rights to sell and distribute Bavarian Nordic's chikungunya vaccine, CHIKV VLP (VIMKUNYA®), in Brazil.

Additionally, under the terms of the agreement announced on January 23, 2026, Eurofarma will have the right of first refusal for any future opportunities to register and commercialize the virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine in the rest of Latin America.

According to the press release, pending discussions with the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (Anvisa), a regulatory submission is anticipated in the first half of 2026, which could support a potential launch of the vaccine in Brazil in the latter half of 2027.

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the chikungunya virus. Over the past two decades, chikungunya has been reported in over 110 countries. Since 2013, the virus has been detected in the Americas Region.

Brazil remains one of the most heavily affected countries, having reported a significant share of global cases and hospitalizations in recent years.

In 2025, Brazil reported over 250,000 chikungunya cases and 120 related fatalities.

Paul Chaplin, President & CEO of Bavarian Nordic, commented, "Brazil continues to bear a significant burden from chikungunya, accounting for a substantial portion of global reported cases and related deaths."

In the United States, both travel-related and locally acquired chikungunya have been confirmed in Florida in early 2026. During 2025, numerious cases were related to travelers from Cuba.

CHIKV VLP is a single-dose, prefilled, adjuvanted VLP recombinant protein vaccine designed for the active immunization and prevention of disease caused by the chikungunya virus.

The vaccine contains no viral genetic material, making it non-infectious and unable to cause disease, thereby providing a favorable safety profile suitable for a broad range of individuals.

VIMKUNYA® was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2025, by the European Commission in February 2025, and by the United Kingdom in May 2025, initially for use in travelers and at-risk populations aged 12 years and older.

This is the second chikungunya vaccine targeting Brazil.

In April 2025, Anvisa granted marketing authorization to its single-dose vaccine IXCHIQ®.

As of January 24, 2026, VIMKUNYA® is commercailly offered at travel clinics throughout the U.S.

For more information, visit www.bavarian-nordic.com.

Following a decrease in Dengue fever cases in 2025, the global risk may be rising again in 2026 across the Americas, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Global Dengue Travel Health Notice, updated on January 22, 2026, eleven countries are reporting higher-than-usual Dengue activity or elevated cases among U.S. travelers returning from these destinations.

These countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Colombia, the Cook Islands (New Zealand), Cuba, Mali, Mauritania, Nicaragua, Samoa, Sudan, and Vietnam.

The CDC has flagged these nations based on public health data showing surges or sustained transmission. Travelers to these locations may face increased exposure, particularly during warmer, wetter seasons that favor mosquito breeding.

This updated Notice, classified as Level 1, states that Dengue, a mosquito-borne viral illness primarily spread by Aedes species mosquitoes, remains a year-round threat in many tropical and subtropical regions.

Outbreaks typically occur every 2-5 years. Dengue symptoms include high fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash, and, in severe cases, potentially life-threatening complications such as Dengue hemorrhagic fever.

In the United States, Florida continues to be an unfortunate leader in reporting Dengue cases.

Three cases of Dengue were reported in January 2026 in persons who had international travel. In 2025, 429 cases of Dengue fever were reported among individuals who had traveled internationally, with 311 cases among travelers from Cuba and 21 from Puerto Rico.

Additionally, in 2025, 62 locally acquired Dengue cases were reported in Florida.

There is currently no specific treatment available in the U.S., so the CDC advises anyone planning to travel to dengue-risk areas to take standard precautions against mosquito bites, as there is no universal vaccine recommended for most travelers.

As of January 23, 2026, second and third-generation (Butantan-DV) Dengue vaccines are available in select countries, but not in the continental U.S.

The Federative Republic of Brazil's iconic Carnival of 2026 will begin on February 13, drawing millions of locals and international visitors to cities like Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador, and Recife.

As of January 22, 2026, Brazil is gearing up for this celebration, focusing on fun while prioritizing public health.

Local health authorities are urging caution due to concerns about mosquito-borne diseases, particularly the Zika virus, with over 24,000 suspected and 1,840 confirmed cases reported by Brazil's Ministry of Health by the end of December 2025.

Last year, many Zika cases were concentrated in the higher population states like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

While Carnival's crowds and warm weather heighten exposure risks, simple precautions can help ensure a safe experience. 

Currently, there are no vaccines for Zika available, and disease prevention relies on measures such as using insect repellent, wearing long clothing, and eliminating standing water.

Travelers, especially pregnant individuals, should consult healthcare providers and follow guidance from health authorities, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While the CDC has not issued a Travel Health Notice regarding Zika outbreaks in Brazil, it did confirm that an infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby, which may cause microcephaly. 

In addition to Zika, the CDC has highlighted travel vaccinations for chikungunya and yellow fever when planning to visit Brazil in 2026.

Ebola disease was first identified in 1976. Since then, outbreaks have emerged periodically and infected people in several African countries

A vaccine that has already received approval and is stockpiled for use against the Zaire ebolavirus could become more affordable and easier to deploy in low-resource settings due to a new collaboration between CEPI and MSD.

With the support of up to $30 million in funding from CEPI, MSD, also known as Merck in the United States and Canada, will utilize Hilleman Laboratories—a joint venture between MSD and Wellcome—to develop the Ervebo® Ebola vaccine with an updated manufacturing process.

Furthermore, SK bioscience and IDT Biologika will collaborate to develop the updated drug-substance process and the associated drug product.

"In a single decade the world has transformed Ebola from a global emergency to a disease that can be stopped in its tracks – and now CEPI's support will help to enable a sustainable and accessible supply of MSD's Zaire ebolavirus vaccine for years to come at a more affordable price," explains Dr. Richard Hatchett, CEO of CEPI, in a press release on January 21, 2026.

"This deal brings together longstanding partners of CEPI with longstanding partners of MSD to boost global defences against one of the deadliest pathogens known to humankind, helping to save lives."

The existing MSD Zaire ebolavirus vaccine was developed in the midst of the 2014-16 West African Ebola crisis. Its manufacturing process is complex and potentially vulnerable to supply disruptions, making the vaccine expensive to produce and difficult to scale up. In addition, the vaccine must be stored in freezers at ultra-low temperatures of -70 degrees Celsius, creating substantial logistical challenges in the often remote, low-resource settings where Ebola outbreaks typically occur.

Currently, the Merck Ebola vaccine is not commercially available in the United States, but is maintained in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile.