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The U.K. Health Security Agency (UKSHA) announced today that two cases of Clade Ib mpox are currently under specialist care at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London, England.

These are household contacts of the first mpox case reported last week.

As of November 4, 2024, this news brings the total number of confirmed mpox cases to three in London. These mpox cases are unrelated to the May 2022 Clade II outbreak.

In a press release, Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said, "Mpox is very infectious in households with close contact, so it is not unexpected to see further cases within the same household."

"The overall risk to the U.K. population remains low. We are working with partners to ensure all contacts of the cases are identified and contacted to reduce the risk of further spread."

All contacts will be offered testing and vaccination as needed and advised on any necessary further care if they have symptoms or test positive.

In the U.K., the Bavarian Nordic A/S IMVAMUNE® (JYNNEOS®, MVA-BN®) mpox / smallpox vaccine is available in 2024.

Vaccine Treats: 
mpox
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Image Caption: 
by Dimitris Vetsikas
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
London
Vaccine: 
JYNNEOS Smallpox Mpox Vaccine
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Starting early next year, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will provide countries of the Americas with access to the Pfizer-produced vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Only the Pfizer vaccine has been approved by the World Health Organization to prevent RSV-related diseases in infants. 

The PAHO stated on November 1, 2024, that around 13 million children are born in the region each year, and if the RSV vaccine is offered to pregnant women, they could benefit from this measure.

The PAHO reported in October 2024 that the new RSV season had started slowly in the Americas.

In the United States, the U.S. FDA-approved single-dose, extended half-life monoclonal antibody Beyfortus™ offers passive immunization to prevent lower respiratory tract infections caused by the RSV to newborns and infants experiencing their first or second RSV season.

In September 2024, the WHO's advisory group recommended that all countries introduce passive immunization to prevent severe RSV disease in young infants.

Vaccine Treats: 
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
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Image Caption: 
by Herney Gómez
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Location Tags: 
Washington DC
Vaccine: 
Beyfortus (Nirsevimab) RSV Antibody
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New World screwworm (NWS) infestations have continued to be reported in the Region of the Americas this year, and the U.S. government is concerned that NWS maggots may return after five decades.

According to a notice issued by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on November 1, 2024, NWS is endemic in Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and countries in South America.

By October 26, 2024, Panama had reported 20,417 positive NWS cases, Costa Rica had 7,718, and Nicaragua had 4,384 cases in 2024.

In 2023, more than 6,500 NWS cases were detected in Panama.

The USDA says it eradicated NWS from the United States in 1966 using the sterile insect technique, in which sterile flies are released in the wild. Further, the USDA says there is a constant risk of NWS reintroduction in the United States.

In mid-October 2024, the U.S. CDC Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity call highlighted concerns about a potential northward spread of NWSs.

The cornerstone of a collaboration between the Panama-United States Commission for the Eradication and Prevention of Screwworms is releasing sterile male screwworm flies in the Darian Province of eastern Panama to create a biological barrier. This effort is scheduled to continue for an extended period.

As of November 4, 2024, there are no NWS vaccines available.

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US CDC
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Atlanta
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Chikungunya Symptoms Detected Seven Years Later

Chikungunya vaccine commercially available in 2024
November 4, 2024
vaccine

Shigellosis Vaccine Needed in Africa

Shigellosis cases found in African 29 countries
November 4, 2024

Shigellosis Outbreaks

Shigellosis Outbreaks May 2025

The World Health Organization (WHO) says Shigellosis, a gastrointestinal infection caused by one of four species of Shigella bacteria, continues to pose a significant public health problem and remains endemic in many developing countries in 2025. Among Shigella species, Shigella dysenteriae type 1 (Sd1) represents a particular threat because of the severity of the disease it causes.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed in May 2025 that the Shigella bacteria can spread quickly. The most common ways people get sick are by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, and by contact with someone with a Shigella infection. People with Shigella infection can shed the bacteria in their stool for weeks after symptoms have dissipated. The CDC Yellow Book 2024 says extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Shigella infections were 5% of Shigella infections (Shigellosis) reported in 2022, compared with 0% in 2015. These articles provide additional information about previous Shigellosis outbreaks.

Shigellosis Outbreaks in the United States

The CDC estimates that Shigellosis cases are the third most common bacterial enteric disease in the U.S. As of March 8, 2025, the CDC reported 2,352 Shigellosis cases in the U.S. in 2025. As of week #52, ending December 28, 2024, the CDC confirmed 5,126 Shigella cases, led by California (4,365) and New York (2,990). The Northern Nevada Public Health identified a Shigellosis outbreak of at least 14 cases and nine hospitalizations at the end of 2024. In 2023, the CDC reported 17,176 cases in the U.S.

A Brief Report published by AJIC on December 9, 2024, describes a mutation of Shigella sonnei, a strain of Shigella bacteria resistant to five of the antibiotic classes most commonly prescribed for such infections. In Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Shangxin Yang described a mutation of Shigella sonnei, a strain of  Shigella bacteria resistant to five of the antibiotic classes most commonly prescribed for such infections. These cases had a distinct genetic mutation that made the bacteria resistant to another class of antibiotics, the cephalosporins. The strain appears to be unique to LA County. XDR Shigella cases have increased since they were first detected in California in 2017. By 2022, 3.2% of Shigella isolates were XDR, which increased to 6.8% in 2023. From January through May 2024, 12% (118/978) of California Shigella isolates were reported as XDR. Shigella sonnei isolates accounted for the most significant percentage (78%), followed by Shigella flexneri (22%).

Shigellosis Outbreaks in Africa

A review published in October 2024 highlights the burden of Shigellosis in Africa. S. flexneri remains the most prevalent species associated with shigellosis cases, with S. sonnei being the second most dominant. The overall pooled estimate of Shigella prevalence was 5.9% (95% CI: 4.9 – 7.0%). The antimicrobial resistance patterns observed in the study suggest local antimicrobial patterns when choosing antibiotics to treat Shigellosis.

Shigellosis Outbreaks in the Region of the Americas

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an Epidemiological Alert in 2022 regarding the spread of Shigella sonnei with extreme antibiotic resistance and the potential risk to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Shigellosis Outbreaks in Europe

In 2024, the ECDC reported that 30 EU/EEA countries reported 4,149 confirmed cases of Shigellosis in 2022. Three countries accounted for 50.6% of all cases: France, the Netherlands and Spain. Of those cases with information on travel history, 48% were associated with travelers. For 2021, 30 EU/EEA countries reported 2,115 confirmed cases of Shigellosis.

Extensively Drug-Resistant Shigella Outbreaks

In Vancouver, Canada, Shigella sonnei has caused sexually transmitted enteric infections in men who have sex with men. A study recently observed a high rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. sonnei bacteremia among persons experiencing homelessness.

Shigellosis Vaccine

As of May 2025, the U.S. FDA has not approved any shigellosis vaccine candidates. However, in November 2024, a Phase 2b controlled human infection model study of Shigella4V2, the world’s most clinically advanced tetravalent bioconjugate shigellosis vaccine candidate, was launched.

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Last Reviewed: 
Monday, May 5, 2025 - 16:05
Description: 
Shigellosis continues as a significant public health concern.
Condition: 
Shigellosis

Is Dengue Endemic in Los Angeles

San Gabriel Valley reported 11 locally acquired dengue cases in 2024
November 3, 2024
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The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) latest weekly update confirmed Afghanistan and Pakistan reported more wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) cases this week. WPV1 is still endemic in these countries.

Additionally, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) cases were reported in Chad (3), Niger (1), and Nigeria (5). 

The World Health Organization recently confirmed that the spread of the poliovirus remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. Polio is a crippling and potentially deadly disease that affects the nervous system.

Polio can be fatal if the breathing muscles are paralyzed or if the brain is infected.

Furthermore, on August 20, 2024, the U.S. CDC reissued a Global Polio Alert—Level 2, Travel Health Notice regarding polio outbreaks and poliovirus detections in 37 countries.

Since polio is a vaccine-preventable disease, the CDC suggests speaking with a travel vaccine expert one month before visiting these countries.

Vaccine Treats: 
Polio
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US CDC Polio notice 2024
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Vaccine: 
nOPV2 Polio Vaccine
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The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert due to the recent identification of clusters and cases of measles in the Region of the Americas.

The PAHO alert published in late October 2024 reported more than 14,000 suspected cases of measles have been registered, mainly in the United States (267 cases), Canada (82), and Argentina (11).

Most of these cases are imported or related to importation.

Fifty-seven percent of confirmed measles cases were unvaccinated, and 28% had an unknown vaccination status, highlighting the urgent need to address gaps in vaccination coverage. In 2023, the regional coverage for the first dose of the MMR vaccine was 87% and 76% for the second dose, below the ideal threshold of 95% recommended to prevent outbreaks.

In response, PAHO urges Member States to implement active search strategies to detect cases, carry out complementary vaccination activities to close existing immunity gaps and strengthen communication with communities to promote vaccine acceptance.

The PAHO advises visitors to outbreak areas to get vaccinated before traveling.

On October 18, 2024, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention republished a global Watch-Level 1, Practice Usual Precautions, Travel Health Notice, identifying measles outbreaks in 56 countries. The CDC recommends speaking with a vaccine expert one month before visiting these countries.

Vaccine Treats: 
Measles
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Measles Rubella bi-Weekly Bulletin - 19 October 2024
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Vaccine: 
Priorix Vaccine
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Throughout 2024, a malaria outbreak has intensified in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, recently exceeding 7.3 million cases and 1,157 related fatalities (CFR 0.02%).

By contrast, 4.1 million malaria cases, including 527 fatalities, were reported last year.

Approximately 75% of Ethiopia's land mass is considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) endemic to malaria.

Historical data reveal significant malaria outbreaks in Ethiopia, such as the devastating 1958 epidemic, which affected approximately three million individuals, with 150,000 fatalities reported, covering a substantial portion of the highland area.

While located near Africa's malaria belt, Ethiopia is usually not listed as a leading outbreak zone by the WHO. In the African Region, the heaviest malaria burden is often reported in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda, and Tanzania. 

As of October 31, 2024, the WHO wrote the national risk level for malaria in Ethiopia is high due to multiple factors, and the regional risk is moderate due to concurrent malaria and other vector-borne disease outbreaks in six neighboring countries: Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan.

Based on the information available for this event, WHO does not recommend any general travel or trade restrictions for Ethiopia, reporting an upswing in international arrivals in 2024..

As of November 1, 2024, the U.S. CDC has not issued a Travel Health Advisory regarding Eithopia's malaria outbreak.

However, the CDC recommends that travelers going to some regions of Ethiopia take prescription medicine to prevent malaria.

While malaria and dengue vaccines are unavailable in the U.S., the CDC suggests prospective Ethiopian visitors speak with a travel vaccine expert at least one month before traveling abroad about polio and measles vaccination options.

Vaccine Treats: 
Malaria
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Image Caption: 
WHO Ethiopia Malaria Case Map October 2024
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Ethiopia
Vaccine: 
R21 / Matrix-M Malaria Vaccine
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