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During the fourth Riyadh International Humanitarian Forum, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia reaffirmed its $500 million pledge to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI).
This agreement will help the GPEI and its partners reach 370 million children with polio vaccines annually.
The funds were initially pledged in April 2024 at the first World Economic Forum Special Meeting held in Riyadh.
“The world is on the path to eradicating polio once and for all, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is proud to be part of this global initiative,” said H.E. Dr. Abdullah al Rabeeah in a press release on February 24, 2025.
“The Kingdom’s contribution will go toward the important work of protecting the most vulnerable children of today so that the generations of tomorrow can live free from this preventable disease.”
Since the GPEI was founded in 1988, polio cases have fallen by over 99% due to decades of leadership from GPEI partners, generous donor support, and the commitment of affected countries.
The World Health Organization recently confirmed during the 40th meeting of the IHR Emergency Committee for Polio that the spread of poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
To alert international travelers of this health risk, the U.S. CDC reissued an advisory revealing polio outbreaks and poliovirus detections in 39 countries. The CDC encourages anyone visiting polio-risk areas to be fully vaccinated in 2025.
Multiple counties in Texas reported an unusually high number of measles cases during the first two months of 2025. So far, 93 measles patients have been confirmed in Texas.
Recently, central Texas reported its initial case of 2025.
Health authorities notified the Hays County Health Department (HCHD) about the potential for residents to be exposed to someone who tested positive for measles. Confirmed with measles, the Gaines County (western Texas) resident visited San Marcos, Texas, on Friday, February 14, 2025.
HSCD wrote on February 23, 2025, that individuals on the campus of Texas State University (enrollment of 37,000) and those who visited a Twin Peaks Restaurant may be at risk of developing measles due to exposure to this individual.
HSCH wrote that the measles virus spreads quickly through the air when an infected person breathes, talks, coughs, or sneezes. The virus can stay in the air and on surfaces for two hours.
On February 15, 2025, the individual visited The University of Texas at San Antonio Main Campus. The San Antonio exposure sites include the River Walk area, a local restaurant, and a large travel plaza in New Braunfels, which is near San Marcos.
In collaboration with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), their respective local health authorities will notify individuals who may have been exposed to the measles virus.
HCHD stated that on February 23, 2025, DSHS and other local health agencies will work closely to investigate potential contacts. For more information, visit: https://www.hayscountytx.gov/current-public-health-situations.
In addition to this new alert, measles cases have been reported in western Texas (90) and Harris County (2) in 2025.
Since Texas State is located south of the University of Texas at Austin (enrollment of 50,000+) and north of San Antonio, these populations may also be at risk. However, as of February 24, 2025, DSHS has not issued an expanded health alert for these areas.
"As healthcare professionals, we are deeply concerned about the current measles outbreaks. We urge everyone to ensure their vaccinations are current to protect themselves and their communities from this highly contagious disease, V. Yvette Cheeks MSN, RN, NPE-C informed Vax-Before-Travel News.
Cheeks, the owner of The Immunization Clinic in Houston, Texas, added, "Please consult with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or need to schedule a vaccination. "
Furthermore, measles is a vaccine-preventable disease, with ample supply available at most travel clinics and pharmacies in Texas.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation recently formalized a memorandum of understanding to reinforce their shared commitment to improving public health across the Americas.
Announced on February 21, 2025, the memorandum covers various areas of cooperation aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, with a key focus on eliminating cervical cancer. Each year, cervical cancer claims the lives of approximately 40,000 women in the Americas.
PAHO Director Jarbas Barbosa emphasized the significance of this collaboration for the region.
“Spain’s support in the fight against cervical cancer and other public health areas is critical for strengthening the health systems. With AECID’s support, we can make progress toward the elimination of this cancer, which disproportionately impacts women in the most vulnerable situations,” said Dr. Barbosa in a press release.
PAHO is leading efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in the Americas, aligning its actions with the World Health Organization's 90-70-90 targets.
These aim for 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15, 70% of women screened using a high-performance test by age 35 and 45, 90% with pre-cancer treatment, and 90% with invasive cancer managed.
In the Americas, the PAHO recommends vaccinating against human papillomavirus (HPV). However, only 48 countries have introduced an HPV vaccine, and coverage rates vary widely.
Few countries have reached 90% HPV vaccination coverage, while others remain below 10%.
The PAHO's Revolving Fund announced on February 7, 2025, that the general availability of the 9-valent HPV vaccine will be easier and more affordable for Latin American countries. Health agencies are debating HPV dosage protocols.
The PAHO stated it is working to close these gaps, ensuring access to safe and affordable vaccines and diagnostic tools through its Regional Revolving Funds.
Over the past two years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued Travel Health Advisories focused on measles outbreaks.
These advisories highlight where there is an active health risk when people visit the highlighted countries.
On February 21, 2025, the CDC reissued a Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions, alert for 57 countries. This CDC list does not integrate the Region of the Americas, with numerous countries reporting 537 measles outbreaks this year.
This is an essential advisory since most measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated U.S. residents who become infected during international travel.
The CDC recently confirmed 93 measles cases in eight jurisdictions, which may be under-reporting active outbreaks in New Mexico and Texas.
The CDC says to reduce measles cases in the U.S., 'All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants.'
In 2025, MMR vaccinations are offered at most clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published a technical brief on encephalitis, a serious, life-threatening neurological condition characterized by brain inflammation.
On February 17, 2025, the WHO stated that different pathogens, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), can cause encephalitis.
Some pathogens, like the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), are spread by mosquitoes and ticks, but vaccination can prevent transmission.
As of 2025, JEV outbreaks are the leading cause of viral encephalitis in twenty-four countries in the WHO South-East Asia and Western Pacific Regions, exposing more than 3 billion people to infection risks.
For example, the WHO reported various JEV cases across Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Western Australia, and the Northern Territory.
Encephalitis affects people across all age groups, has high mortality, and often leads to significant long-term complications (sequelae), including hearing loss, seizures, limb weakness, and difficulties with vision, speech, language, memory, and communication.
Globally, in 2021, encephalitis was the fourth leading cause of neurological health loss in children aged under 5 years and the 13th across all age groups.
"Encephalitis is a growing public health challenge, and by prioritizing it within global and national health agendas and strengthening collaboration, we can reduce its impact and save lives," said Dr Tarun Dua, Head of the Brain Health Unit, WHO, in a press statement.
The WHO technical brief, which forms part of the implementation of the broader Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders, draws attention to the lack of access to essential care, especially in low-and middle-income countries.
While no HSV vaccines are authorized, the U.S. FDA-approved JEV vaccine, IXIARO®, is available at clinics and pharmacies nationwide. According to the U.S. CDC, vaccination is recommended before visiting JEV outbreaks.
After almost two years without reporting a measles case, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) today confirmed 92 measles cases in this year's outbreak.
Since the beginning of 2025, there have been two measles cases in Harris, 57 in Gaines, 20 in Terry, 6 in Dawson, 4 in Yokaum, 1 in Ector, and 1 in Lynn Counties.
Most of these patients are young, unvaccinated, or their vaccination status is unknown.
On February 21, 2025, the DSHS stated, 'Due to the highly contagious nature of this disease, additional cases are likely to occur in the outbreak area and the surrounding communities. DSHS is working with local health departments to investigate the outbreak.'
Nationwide, the U.S. CDC updated its reporting yesterday but only indicated 93 measles cases in 8 jurisdictions: Alaska, California, Georgia, New Jersey, New Mexico (9), New York City, Rhode Island, and Texas.
DSHS and the CDC strongly recommend most people get the MMR vaccine to prevent infection and severe disease.
