Search API
The last Ebola Zaire patient in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) was recently discharged, marking a milestone in the efforts to end the this African country's 16th outbreak.
If no new cases are detected, this Ebola outbreak will be declared over in early December 2025.
In total, 64 cases (53 confirmed and 11 probable) have been reported since the outbreak was declared in Bulape health zone, in Kasai Province.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), despite the challenges of distance, poor roads, and limited infrastructure, the Ministry of Health, with strong support from partners, acted swiftly to scale up outbreak response measures.
For example, more than 35,000 people have been vaccinated against Ebola in Bulape.
"The recovery of the last patient just six weeks after the outbreak was declared is a remarkable achievement that shows how strong partnership, national expertise, and determination have contributed to overcoming challenges to save and protect lives," said Dr. Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa, in a press release on October 19, 2025.
In mid-September, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued Health Alert Network Health Advisory CDCHAN-00524 stating that the risk of Ebola spread to the United States is currently considered low.
The CDC says the ERVEBO® vaccine is approved for preventing the Ebola Zaire virus disease. However, it should only be given to people who meet specific criteria, such as visiting an outbreak zone.
Additionally, two approved treatments treat Ebola virus infection: Inmazeb™ and Ebanga™.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) recently announced it is investigating the first case of locally acquired dengue fever in a resident of the San Gabriel Valley.
The infected person reported no history of travel to areas where the mosquito-transmitted dengue virus is endemic, such as Mexico or Central America.
As of October 15, 2025, the LACDPH stated 'while the potential risk for widespread dengue virus transmission in Los Angeles County remains low, this case highlights the presence of infected mosquitoes locally and underscores the importance of preventive measures to control the spread of this virus.'
LA's first confirmed case of locally acquired dengue was reported in September 2024.
During the 2024 mosquito season in LA County, between July and November, a total of 14 cases were confirmed, which is extremely rare for a region where mosquitoes had not previously transmitted the virus.
"Dengue is preventable, and community action is our strongest defense. Preventing mosquito bites and mosquito breeding is the best way to stop local transmission of dengue," said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer, in a press release.
"People should follow these simple steps to reduce their exposure to mosquitoes and risk for mosquito bites: 1) Use insect repellent on you and your family; 2) Remove items that hold standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs and breed; and 3) Use, install, or repair window and door screens to prevent mosquitoes from entering your home," stated Dr. Davis.
The County stated San Gabriel Valley residents who have symptoms of dengue should see their healthcare provider, as a blood test is the only way to confirm dengue infection.
The San Gabriel Valley is located just east of the City of LA.
Similar to Florida, where local cases of dengue have been confirmed along the southeast coast in 2025, LACDPH urges healthcare providers to consider dengue in patients with acute febrile illness and test for and report suspect cases of mosquito-borne diseases.
As of October 19, 2025, dengue vaccines are only available in Puerto Rico and various countries outside the United States.
According to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control, chikungunya is not endemic in mainland EU/EEA. However, since the beginning of 2025, and as of mid-October 2025, two countries in Europe have reported cases of the mosquito-transmitted chikungunya virus disease: France (734) and Italy (364).
Furthermore, in the Communicable disease threats report, week 42, during the past week, France has reported 34 new locally acquired cases of chikungunya virus disease, and Italy has reported 11.
In Italy, chikungunya cases were confirmed in Carpi, San Prospero, Soliera, Novellara, Cavezzo, Modena, Nonantola, Correggio, Novi di Modena, and Cesenatico.
As of October 19, 2025, the U.S. CDC has not issued a Travel Health Notice regarding Italy's chikungunya outbreak, but the agency does say all travelers to Italy should take steps to prevent mosquito bites.
When departing from the USA abroad, chikungunya vaccines are commercially offered at various travel pharmacies.
When the U.S. CDC reissued a Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Health Notice in August 2025, it identified 39 countries at-risk for the spread of poliovirus.
According to recent reports, polio cases continue to be reported this year.
As of October 16, 2025, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) confirmed five new polio cases over the past week.
One wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) case in Afghanistan (Uruzgan) and vaccine-derived cases in Nigeria (2), Angola (1), and Laos (1).
With the latest case, Afghanistan now has seven WPV 1 cases in 2025, after confirming 25 for all of 2024.
Nigeria's cases of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 are now at 37 for the year, while Angola has 12.
Additionally, the GPEI also published an action plan on polio.
The 2026 Action Plan, developed through extensive consultation and grounded in the latest data, sets out how GPEI will focus activities where they will have the most significant impact, making deliberate, sometimes challenging choices to minimize risk, safeguard hard-won gains, and maintain progress toward a polio-free world.
Both the GPEI and the CDC say polio is a vaccine-preventable disease.
As of October 18, 2025, the CDC recommends that before any international travel, you make sure you are up to date on your polio vaccines, which are available at travel clinics and pharmacies in the USA.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) recently confirmed its first case of clade I mpox in an adult with no recent travel to regions where this virus is typically found. The individual was hospitalized and is now recovering at home.
This is the second clade I mpox case in LA County and the second in the nation without known travel to another country where clade I is typically found.
The City of Long Beach also announced a separate clade I mpox case this week.
As of October 16, 2025, LACDPH is collaborating closely with the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate these mpox cases as swiftly and effectively as possible. Enhanced surveillance and contact tracing are underway to identify any additional cases and potential sources of the infection and to prevent further transmission.
Two clades of the mpox virus cause Mpox: clade I and clade II. Both clades may present with flu-like symptoms followed by a rash, and can be spread through close person contact (sex, massage or cuddling) and within households or by sharing personal items.
So far in 2025, LACDPH has reported 118 cases of clade II mpox.
"The identification of cases of clade I mpox, which may cause more severe illness than the more common clade II, is concerning," said Muntu Davis, MD, MPH, Los Angeles County Health Officer, in a press release.
"Mpox continues to be spread largely through close, intimate contact with symptomatic people, mainly during sexual activity. Early detection, testing, and vaccination are vital to controlling the spread of this virus."
"Getting both doses of the JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®) vaccine provides the best protection against mpox."
This Mpox vaccine is offered at various clinics and pharmacies in the USA.
In response to the ongoing measles outbreak in the upstate South Carolina that is centered around Spartanburg County, the Department of Public Health (DPH) has activated its Mobile Health Unit in the county to offer measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccinations this week and next at various locations at no cost.
Currently, the South Carolina Department of Public Health has confirmed 16 measles cases in 2025.
According to the DPH's press release on October 15, 2025, the MMR vaccine provides lifelong protection against measles for the majority of vaccinated individuals, and increasing vaccination rates can help stop the measles outbreak.
Getting vaccinated now can help avoid lengthy quarantines at home for those who have contact with the measles virus, says the DPH.
Over the past year, significant measles outbreaks have been reported in Canada, Mexico, and western Texas.
Furthermore, the U.S. CDC recommends completing MMR vaccinations before visiting areas with measles outbreaks in 2025. This vaccine is generally offered at local pharmacies throughout the USA.
