Search API
Following the record-setting 2024, Caribbean countries and territories have again confirmed Dengue cases. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which thrives in rainy conditions and is found in the Caribbean, transmits the dengue virus from person to person, causing outbreaks.
For example, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) Department of Health announced on February 5, 2025, that 15 Dengue cases have been reported in the Territory, all on the island of St. Croix.
As of October 2024, the number of Dengue cases in the USVI had surged, with 150 reported across the Territory last year.
Dr. Esther Ellis, Territorial Epidemiologist for the VI Department of Health, urges residents to take precautions to prevent further dengue transmission as the number of cases rises in St. Croix.
Dr. Ellis added that the numbers on St. Croix underestimate the actual dengue burden.
"I encourage residents to get tested for dengue if they have symptoms," she said.
Infants, pregnant women, and those with previous dengue infections are at higher risk for severe dengue. Some may develop severe dengue, which typically occurs 24 to 48 hours after the fever subsides and includes symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, or extreme fatigue. Seek emergency medical attention immediately if these symptoms arise, says the U.S. CDC.
While the CDC's latest Dengue Travel Health Advisory lists 12 countries in the Region of the Americas, it does not identify the USVI as an at-risk area.
As of February 8, 2025, the second-generation Dengue vaccine is not offered in the United States or Territories.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently confirmed the yellow fever (YF) virus has become endemic in tropical areas of the Region of the Americas, such as the Republic of Colombia.
While yellow fever is a vaccine-preventable disease, with ample supplies available in Colombia, significant outbreaks have been reported over the past 13 months.
The WHO reported on February 4, 2025, that between the start of 2024 and EW 4 of 2025, a total of 31 confirmed cases of YF have been reported, including 15 fatal cases.
Recent YF outbreaks have been detected in the department of Tolima in the municipalities of Cunday, Prado, and Purificación.
With over 6 million tourists visiting Colombia last year, most landing at the El Dorado International Airport, the WHO and U.S. CDC have offered updated vaccine recommendations.
Travelers ≥1 year old arriving from Angola, Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or Uganda; this includes certain airport transits or layovers in any of these countries, must be vaccinated.
YF vaccination is generally not recommended for travel limited to Barranquilla, Cali, Cartagena, or Medellín cities, areas in Colombia above 7,550 ft. in elevation (where infected mosquitoes are not found), the archipelago departments of San Andrés and Providencia, or the city of Bogotá.
When departing from the United States in 2025, the YF-VAX® vaccine is commercially offered at travel clinics and pharmacies.
From a safety perspective, the U.S. Department of State issued a high-level travel advisory for Colombia in January 2025, stating that visitors should exercise increased caution due to civil unrest and that some areas are at increased risk.
During the summer of 2024, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued several epidemiological alerts about Oropouche cases, including deaths, in the Region of the Americas. This unfortunate trend has continued into 2025.
The U.S. Embassy in Panama recently published a Health Alert for U.S. Citizens living in or visiting the Republic of Panama.
As of February 7, 2025, the U.S. CDC has issued two Travel Health Notices (THN) regarding outbreaks of the Oropouche virus in Panama. Additionally, the CDC has raised the THN level for Panama's Darien province to Level 2.
Previous research estimates that up to 5 million people in the Americas are at risk of exposure to the virus.
Oropouche is a disease caused by the Oropouche virus, which is spread primarily through the bites of infected midges and mosquitoes. While the virus has been found in semen, it is unconfirmed whether It can be spread through sex.
Symptoms of Oropouche include headache, fever, muscle aches, stiff joints, nausea, vomiting, chills, or sensitivity to light. Severe cases may result in neuroinvasive diseases such as meningitis.
From a prevention perspective, the CDC says travelers to Panama should take steps to prevent bug bites. They should also prevent bug bites for three weeks after travel to avoid possibly spreading the virus to others if they are in areas where mosquitoes and biting midges are active.
Currently, there are no U.S. FDA-approved vaccines for Oropouche disease.
However, this area of Central America has been reporting chikungunya cases, and there is an approved vaccine commercially offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in 2025.
After several months of being measles-free, Texas has reported eight measles cases in 2025.
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) recently reported that the measles outbreak in Gaines County, Texas, has expanded to six cases.
DHSH announced on February 5, 2025, that these measles cases are unvaccinated school-aged children in the South Plains Public Health District (SPPHD) who live in Gaines County, a rural area about 90 miles southwest of Lubbock, TX.
These new measles cases are unrelated to the alert issued by the Houston Health Department in January 2025. That alert confirmed two measles cases associated with international travel in unvaccinated Harris County residents.
Those were the first measles cases reported in Texas since 2023 and the first case reported by the SPPHD in about 20 years.
As of February 7, 2025, the U.S. CDC maintains a Global Measles Advisory that identified 59 countries reporting measles cases.
The CDC, DSHS, and Houston Health all recommend that international travelers be fully protected against the highly contagious measles virus. In 2025, the MMR vaccine will be generally offered at travel clinics and pharmacies.
Update: There are nine measles cases reported in Texas in 2025.
As Spring Break 2025 approaches, many travelers plan to visit the Republic of Costa Rica's warm waters and flush mountains. However, a new alert indicates that driving near the local airport should be done cautiously.
The U.S. Embassy in San Jose today announced it has received reports regarding incidents near the Juan Santamaría International Airport.
As of February 5, 2025, the Embassy recommends that all travelers use caution when frequenting this area or routes from the airport and consider using alternate routes. If confronted, do not stop; continue progressing forward and contact 911 when it is safe. The Embassy also suggests that visitors enroll in NEWSMART to make contacting them during emergencies easier and send them safety and security alerts.
Previously, the U.S. Department of State upgraded its Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, Travel Advisory for Costa Rica, due to local crime.
From a health perspective, Costa Rica reported over 31,000 dengue cases, 232 malaria patients, 40 chikungunya, and 26 Zika cases in 2024.
The U.S. CDC suggests that future visitors to Costa Rica speak with a travel vaccine expert about one month before departure in 2025.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today issued a Level 2 Travel Health Advisory regarding the recent Sudan virus disease (SVD) outbreak in the Republic of Uganda.
As of February 5, 2025, SDV cases have been reported in Kampala, Mbale, and Wakiso.
The CDC wrote, 'Local health authorities in Uganda are working to identify infected people and transmission sources, conduct investigations, take action to prevent further transmission and educate communities and the public about the risks and dangers of SVD.
SVD) is a rare and deadly disease that has, at times, caused outbreaks in several African countries.
Previously, the CDC included Uganda in Mpox and Polio travel advisories.
Furthermore, if you travel to Uganda, you should review the Health Information for Travelers to Uganda to learn about the routine precautions travelers should take.
Currently, no vaccines or therapeutics have been approved by the U.S. FDA to prevent or treat SVD.
While measles has not been confirmed in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory, for several decades, it remains at risk for importation.
Bermuda's Ministry of Health’s Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit recently announced it is investigating a suspected case of measles on the island in the North Atlantic Ocean.
As of February 4, 2025, given the highly contagious nature of the measles virus, public health measures are being implemented, including the identification and notification of persons who may have had a potential measles exposure and would be considered close contacts.
The Ministry strongly emphasizes the importance of measles awareness and prevention. Vaccination is crucial in reducing the risk of catching and spreading measles.
The Ministry says anyone who has not received both doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine should follow the below guidance to protect themselves and others.
As of February 6, 2025, the UK's Travel Health Pro says 'travelers (to Bermuda) should ideally arrange an appointment with their health professional at least four to six weeks before travel. However, even if time is short, an appointment is still worthwhile.'
Additionally, all travelers should ensure adequate travel health insurance when visiting Bermuda, a recent tourism hot spot. In 2023, total visitor arrivals [air, cruise & yacht] increased by about 30% in one year.
Bermuda was not listed in the U.S. CDC's recent Global Measles Alert, nor were the cases recently confirmed in Canada and Texas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced today that it will host an overview of the current outbreak of the Sudan Ebola virus disease in the Republic of Uganda, Africa.
On February 6, 2025, from 12:00 to 13:00 CET, Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO's Director of epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, and Dr. Anais Legand, WHO's Technical Officer for viral Hemorrhagic Fevers, will present the latest information about this new sudden disease outbreak and prevention and control measures, such as vaccinations.
On February 3, 2025, Uganda's Ministry of Health and its partners launched the first-ever clinical efficacy trial for an experimental Ebola vaccine derived from the Sudan virus species.
Since 2014, Ebolavirus vaccine technologies have included replication-deficient adenovirus vectors, replication-competent vesicular stomatitis, human parainfluenza vectors, and virus-like nanoparticle preparations. Zaire Ebolavirus vaccines have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, and the WHO.
As of February 2025, no vaccines have been approved to protect people against the Sudan Ebolavirus.
Webinar participants can register for the free EPI-WIN using this Zoom link.
Currently, no suspected, probable, or confirmed Ebola cases related to this outbreak have been reported in the United States or outside of Uganda.
