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The U.S. Department of State recently reaffirmed its Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution for the Kingdom of Spain.
On December 23, 2024, the State Department stated visitors to Spain should exercise increased due to civil unrest. Furthermore, demonstrations are common and may occur in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.
International travelers visiting Spain should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital alerts, which makes locating you in an emergency easier.
When in Spain, U.S. citizens can visit the U.S. Embassy at Calle Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid.
From a health perspective, the U.S. CDC and the UK say visitors should check the list of vaccines and medicines needed at least a month before visiting Spain. For example, the ECDC reported locally acquired dengue cases in Spain in 2024.
Dengue is an Aedes-borne disease established in Spain's Catalonia region.
Colin Johnston, Senior Medical Entomologist at UKHSA, informed local media, "The increasing number of dengue (8) and malaria cases that we are seeing now in the UK are travel-related."
As of December 25, 2024, Dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently confirmed that influenza-like illnesses have increased in the North American subregion. Seasonal influenza (flu) became widespread in many sections of the United States in late December 2024.
According to the PAHO and numerical health agencies, most eligible people should get a flu shot that protects against the viruses causing infection.
The PAHO says there are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C, and D.
As of December 25, 2024, various U.S. FDA-approved flu shots are available at local pharmacies, helping prevent severe influenza infections caused by these viruses.
The good news is pharmaceutical companies are developing vaccines that provide broad-spectrum protection against these every-mutating viruses.
A study published on December 11, 2024, in the journal MDPI, reported in a Phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, OVX836, a nucleoprotein (NP)-based candidate vaccine, previously showed a good safety profile, a robust immune response (both humoral and cellular) and a preliminary signal of protection of 84% against confirmed symptomatic influenza after a single intramuscular dose of 180 µg, 300 µg or 480 µg.
Furthermore, T-cell responses were highly cross-reactive against various influenza A strains, both seasonal and highly pathogenic avian strains.
Last month, Osivax announced its ongoing efforts to prepare this vaccine candidate for marketing.
On November 11, 2024, the first participant was vaccinated in a Phase 2a clinical trial (NCT06582277) evaluating OVX836 as a booster in participants vaccinated three to five years ago in earlier Osivax vaccine studies.
The topline results from this trial are expected by the end of 2025.
“This milestone is a significant step forward in our mission to develop a truly broad-spectrum, lasting flu vaccine capable of addressing the ever-evolving threat of influenza. By studying the effects of a booster dose, we aim to deepen our understanding of OVX836’s potential to provide robust and sustained immune protection,” said Dr. Nicola Groth, CMO of Osivax, in a press release.
“Osivax is committed to leveraging innovative science to develop vaccines that protect individuals and help reduce the global healthcare burden associated with seasonal flu epidemics and potential pandemics.”
Osivax is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that aims to develop a pan-respiratory virus vaccine that can prevent all strains of influenza in one shot. The company also intends to expand into other infectious disease indications through combinations and collaborations worldwide.
Despite decades of public health vaccination programs, invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) continues to cause substantial disease burden, primarily due to Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes not included in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV).
Various pharmaceutical companies say next-generation PCVs can extend vaccine coverage of disease-causing serotypes.
To accelerate solutions addressing this health need, Sanofi and SK bioscience announced on December 23, 2024, that they entered into a new collaboration in pneumococcal vaccines with an expanded agreement to develop, license and commercialize next-generation PCVs for pediatric and adult populations.
This expansion builds on the companies’ existing collaboration to develop and commercialize a PCV21 pediatric vaccine, for which the phase 3 clinical program commenced last week. This vaccine candidate is the first-ever PCV containing more than 20 serotypes to enter a phase 3 clinical study in infants and toddlers.
The PCV21 phase 3 program, based on positive phase 2 results communicated in 2023, will include infants, toddlers, young children, and adolescents across multiple geographies, including the US, Europe, Australia, Asia, and Latin America.
Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice President of Vaccines at Sanofi, commented in a press release on December 23, 2024, “Given the vast unmet public health needs in IPD, we’re delighted to expand this collaboration and continue our pursuit of innovative work in PCV. Our collaboration leverages SK bioscience’s capabilities and Sanofi’s expertise in developing and bringing innovative vaccines to people worldwide to reduce the global impact of pneumococcal disease.”
The World Health Organization says pneumococcal vaccinations continue to prevent pneumococcal disease. While vaccines can not prevent every kind of community-acquired pneumonia, they work against the most common bacteria types.
According to the World Health Organization, the Republic of Yemen, a country with 34 million residents located in southern Arabia, has reported the highest burden of cholera this year.
As of December 2024, Yemen had reported 249,900 suspected cases of cholera, with 861 associated fatalities this year, accounting for 35% of the global cholera burden and 18% of global reported mortality.
"The outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera and acute watery diarrhea imposes an additional burden on an already stressed health system facing multiple disease outbreaks. The WHO and humanitarian actors are strained in their efforts to address the increasing needs due to severe funding shortages," said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Yemen, Dr Arturo Pesigan, in a media release on December 23, 2024.
Oral cholera vaccination campaigns have protected 3.2 million people in 34 districts of 6 governorates in Yemen.
As of December 18, 2024, the WHO reported that the multi-year cholera vaccine shortage may end.
Cholera vaccines are available in the United States at travel clinics and pharmacies. They are also recommended by the WHO / U.S. CDC for international travelers when visiting cholera outbreak areas.
The CDC also recommends measles, polio, and routine vaccinations before visiting Yemen,
As of December 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Yemen that says 'do not travel' to Yemen due to civil unrest.
In the Region of the Americas, the Republic of Haiti has reported active cholera transmission is widespread. The CDC says visitors should avoid unsafe food and water and wash their hands to help prevent cholera. Vaccination may be considered for children and adults traveling to areas of active cholera transmission, such as Port-au-Prince.
The Galveston County Health District recently informed the Texas Gulf Island community about a Hitchcock High School staff member who has been diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB).
On December 20, 2024, the District confirmed the patient received treatment at a local hospital. It is actively investigating the situation and has contacted 120 students and staff who may have been exposed to the infectious bacterial disease to arrange evaluations and testing.
Free screening is offered at the Galveston County Health DistrDistrict'sunicable Disease Office by calling (409) 938-2354.
The District wrote in a media release, 'We understand this situation may be concerning, and we want to reassure the community that we are taking all necessary precautions.'
Over the past few years, the state of Texas, like the entire United States, has reported an increase in TB cases.
Texas reported 1,235 TB cases in 2023, compared to 1,100 cases in 2022.
In 2023, Galveston County reported 11 TB cases, while fifty miles north in Harris County, 269 TB cases were confirmed last year.
The U.S. CDC reports a 16% increase in TB cases nationwide in 2023 compared to 2022.
While TB is a vaccine-preventable disease, the 100-year-old BCG vaccine is about 50% effective and is generally offered at public health departments. However, several enhanced BCG vaccine candidates are conducting late-stage clinical trials, with aspirations for approval in 2025.
The U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory to Level 3 for the Republic of Vanuatu, a nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of Australia comprising roughly 80 islands.
The advisory was updated due to infrastructure damage from a recent earthquake. Numerous buildings in Vanuatu sustained severe damage, and curfews are in effect in some areas.
On December 20, 204, U.S. citizens were advised to reconsider travel. The government's ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Vanuatu was limited, and departure options were disrupted.
The nearest U.S. Embassy is in Harbour City Road, Konedobu, Port Moresby, NCD, 121, Papua New Guinea.
Regarding departure options, Port Vila's Bauerfield Airport is reopening on December 22, 2024. Therefore, visitors should contact their airlines to confirm travel plans.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make locating you in an emergency easier.
And from a health perspective, the U'S. U'S writes, 'Ensure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. And some travel vaccines may be needed to protect visitors from chikungunya and dengue. These vaccines are offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in 2024.
The global outbreak of the Chikungunya virus continues into late 2024, impacting various Asian countries, such as India.
To alert international travelers, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Health Advisory, regarding outbreaks of Chikungunya in Maharashtra and Telangana, India.
On November 8, 2024, the CDC issued an advisory for Telangana, a region in India's south-central region with a population of about 35 million and millions of annual visitors from the U.S.
As of December 19, 2024, the CDC wrote, 'Vaccination against chikungunya is recommended for (eligible) adults traveling to a destination with a current Chikungunya outbreak.'
In addition to India, the CDC says Chikungunya outbreaks have occurred in countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and throughout the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Chikungunya disease is caused by the chikungunya virus and spread to humans through mosquito bites. According to the CDC, symptoms usually begin 3–7 days after an infected mosquito bite. Most people infected with the virus develop some symptoms.
While there is no specific treatment for Chikungunya in 2024, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends a vaccine for some travelers.
Valneva SE's IXCHIQ® monovalent, single-dose, live-attenuated vaccine was the first vaccine approved to address Chikungunya infections. This innovative vaccine is commercially available at travel clinics and pharmacies in the U.S. IXCHIQ is also offered in numerous countries.
