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Polio Remains a Global Risk to International Travelers

WHO says polio remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern
July 31, 2025
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The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recently highlighted cases of Oropouche virus disease in Europe that are linked to international travel, as noted in their Communicable Disease Threats Report.

As of July 25, 2025, the ECDC has reported that Germany confirmed one imported case of Oropouche virus disease. This case involved a person who had traveled to Dominica between January 24 and February 7, 2025.

France also reported one imported case in an individual who visited Brazil in March 2025.

Additionally, the United Kingdom recorded three imported cases among travelers returning from Brazil during March and April 2025.

Throughout 2024, there were a total of 44 imported cases of Oropouche reported in EU countries, with Spain accounting for the highest number at 23 cases. Most cases had a travel history to Cuba, and one case was linked to Brazil.

The ECDC assesses the risk of infection for EU/EEA citizens traveling to countries in the Americas affected by the Oropouche as moderate.

They state, "The likelihood of human exposure to Oropouche virus in the EU/EEA is considered very low. This is despite the potential for further cases to be imported, as the competent vectors typically found in the Americas are absent from continental Europe.'

'To date, there has been no reported secondary transmission. Therefore, the risk of locally acquired Oropouche virus disease in the EU/EEA is low.'

In the United States, there were 103 cases of Oropouche fever reported in individuals in Florida who had traveled to an endemic area, such as Cuba, in 2024.

As of July 31, 2025, there are no Oropouche vaccines available.

Vaccine Treats: 
Oropouche
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US CDC July 2025
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
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Florida
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The Independent State of Samoa has temporarily closed schools due to a significant spike in Dengue fever cases in this South Pacific Ocean country. 

The Government of Samoa, Issue No.14, indicates the most affected areas include Northwest Upolu and the Apia Urban areas, although the mosquito-transmitted virus has spread across the country.

According to a post on Facebook, Caretaker Prime Minister Tuala Tevaga Ponifasio announced that schools will reopen following a thorough fumigation process.

In the statement, he said, "The closure of all schools nationwide will last one week, from July 28 to August 1, 2025, while school fumigation programs are carried out."

From January to July 20, 2025, Samoa recorded 1,756 laboratory-confirmed cases of Dengue, with hospital reports indicating an average of over 100 new cases each week.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed the presence of two of Dengue's four serotypes circulating in the country: DENV-1 and DENV-2.

Samoa, with about 200,000 residents and a featured vacation destination, is located west of American Samoa, which is also confronting a Dengue outbreak in 2025.

To alert all international travelers of this active health risk, the U.S. CDC updated its Dengue Travel Health Advisory in 2025. While Dengue vaccines have been approved, access is currently limited by country.

Vaccine Treats: 
Dengue
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Maps 2025
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Samoa
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With the 2025-2026 Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus seasons launching in the United States, a debated innovation recently recieved positive data on how it can passively reduce respiratory diseases.

The new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine trialled commercially available germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) appliances in senior care facilities, finding they reduced rates of viral respiratory infections by about 12.2%.

GUV appliances, which purify the air with UV-C light rays and deactivate harmful micro-organisms like viruses and bacteria.

“Some of the key advantages of germicidal ultraviolet air-treatment appliances are that they are easily installed into existing facilities and cost-effective to use,” says lead author Dr Andrew Shoubridge from Flinders University and SAHMRI’s Microbiome and Host Health Programme, in a press release on July 28, 2025.

“When used in conjunction with existing infection control measures, they could be transformative in reducing rates of seasonal respiratory viral infections and protecting residential aged care facilities against emerging pathogens.”

This randomized clinical trial tested commercially available LAF Technologies GUV appliances that are already used in a wide range of clinical and commercial settings, including hospitals.

The appliances can be mounted to ceilings or walls, fitted into ventilated AC systems, are harmless to people, and have already proven to reduce levels of airborne pathogens in laboratory and hospital settings.

Senior author of the study, Professor Geraint Rogers, conceived this world-first trial and the transformative adaptation of this technology to reduce respiratory viral outbreaks in vulnerable older Australians.

“Our study aimed to explore new ways in which to protect aged care residents from harmful outbreaks of viruses, without disrupting their day-to-day activities.

“Based on our findings, it’s difficult to see why you wouldn’t install these appliances in aged care facilities.”

Vaccine Treats: 
Influenza
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Image Caption: 
JAMA July 2025
Live Blog Update Author: 
Karen McClorey Hackett
Location Tags: 
Australia
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travel vaccine

5,000 Larva-Eating Fish Released to Curtail China's Chikungunya Outbreak

Guangdong Province reported local cases of Chikungunya Fever
July 30, 2025
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While Dengue Fever cases have traditionally been centered in the Miami-Dade County area, new data from the Florida Department of Health (DOH) indicates virus-carrying mosquitoes are circulating in Brevard County, over 200 miles to the north.

The DOH-Brevard initially informed residents of a confirmed human case of locally-acquired Dengue in early July 2025, and a second case during the week ending July 26, 2025.. 

This area of central Florida is known as the Space Coast, home to the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Tourists frequent this coastal area, which includes the cities of Melbourne and Cocoa Beach. Furthermore, it is about 100 miles east of Orlando.

In 2025, 118 cases of travel-related dengue fever were reported among individuals, with 59 cases related to travelers from Cuba.

Since Dengue vaccines are unavailable in Florida, DOH-Brevard reminds the community to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes by taking basic precautions, such as wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants, and eliminating standing water.

As of July 29, 2025, only Puerto Rico is authorized to offer the first-generation Dengue vaccine (Dengvaxia®) to children in the United States.

Vaccine Treats: 
Dengue
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Image Caption: 
Google Maps 2025
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Miami
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Will Oropouche Virus Spread in the United States

Travel related Oropouche cases confirmed in 7 US States in 2025
July 29, 2025
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When Ebola and Marburg outbreaks have occurred over the decades, diagnosing cases has been a significant challenge for healthcare workers.

To address this essential need, Aptitude Medical Systems announced its second major partnership with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), with $9 million in funding to develop the Metrix Filovirus Panel.

This collaboration leverages Aptitude's next-generation molecular diagnostics platform, Metrix®, which has been advanced through a prior BARDA partnership valued at up to $61.9 million.

This rapid next-generation molecular diagnostic device aims to detect and differentiate Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus species.

"Point-of-care diagnostics are essential for effectively addressing outbreaks of high-consequence pathogens like Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus species," added JP Wang, PhD, CTO, President, and Executive Chairman of Aptitude, in a press release on July 28, 2025.

It is a small, portable platform, making it appropriate for use in remote and more traditional point-of-care settings, generating results in 30 minutes or less from venous or fingerstick blood samples.

As of July 29, 2025, there are no active Ebola and Marburg outbreaks in Africa, and Ebola vaccines and antibody therapies have been approved for use by various countries.

Vaccine Treats: 
Ebola
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Image Caption: 
Aptitude Medical Systems website 2025
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Santa Barbara
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As of late July 2025, three confirmed, locally acquired cases of dengue fever were recorded in the Municipality of Budrio, located in central Italy.

As of July 24, 2025, as required by the Regional Arbovirus Plan, in collaboration with the Municipality of Budrio, disinfestations were carried out using larvicidal and adulticidal treatments to reduce the number of virus-carrying mosquitoes in the affected areas.

Budrio is located just east of Bologna, a city with about 390,000 residents in central Italy.

Additionally, diagnostic tests and access to a second-generation dengue vaccine have been offered to residents.

The Italian National Public Health Authority reported over 213 locally acquired dengue cases in 2024. Most of these cases were in DENV-2 cases, which were recorded in Fano, a small coastal city in Italy's Marche Region.

Compared with data from 2024, this was a significant increase from the 82 confirmed cases.

Currently, the U.S. CDC does not list Italy as a country at risk for dengue outbreaks. Nor does the CDC recommend dengue vaccination when traveling to at-risk areas. Only Puerto Rico offers dengue vaccinations in 2025.

Vaccine Treats: 
Dengue
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Image Caption: 
Google Maps July 29, 2025
Live Blog Update Author: 
Don Hackett
Location Tags: 
Italy
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Travel Vaccination Clinics 2025

Travel Vaccination Appointments December 2025

International travelers can request a vaccination appointment with a certified provider in December 2025.

Passport Health USA offers an extensive array of services for international travelers, with locations in most areas of the United States, Canada, and London, England. In 2025, PassportHealth offers world-class vaccine consultations and medical supplies.

 

Travel Vaccination Clinics

Albertsons - Offers a full schedule of travel immunizations and shots that you need for any trip, whether domestic or international.

Costco - The Costco Mobile app and search for Pharmacy. There, you can fill out the immunization consent form and schedule your appointment.

CVS - Before your trip, visit a MinuteClinic location for critical travel health services.

Destination Health Travel Clinic - An independently operated travel medicine service with convenient locations in Western and Central Massachusetts, along with the Boston area, serving customers in other states like Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont. 

Kroger- A health consultation before traveling can help prevent the contraction of travel-related illnesses.

Walgreens - Walgreens pharmacists are available to share the latest insights on why back-to-school season is the perfect time for whole families, including adults and grandparents who interact with kids. To get vaccinated in 2025, Walgreens offered nationwide flu shot appointments, including walk-ins. Scheduling options include online, through the Walgreens app, texting "Flu" to 66879, or by calling 1-800-WALGREENS. Additionally, the Walgreens Flu Index® enables users to search by geographic area ranked by flu activity. Furthermore, starting August 2025, myWalgreens members receive 20% off their next eligible purchase after receiving any vaccine.

UT-Austin H-E-B Pharmacy - A full-service H-E-B® Pharmacy is located on the first floor of the UT-Austin Health Transformation Building, 1601 Trinity Street, Bldg. A, Ste. 105, Austin, TX 78712. In addition to supporting the prescription needs of Texas students, staff, and faculty, the UT pharmacy will open to the public in September 2025 to address their travel vaccination needs.

Travel Vaccination Pharmacies in the United Kingdom

Boots - Planning to travel abroad, have? Have checked which vaccines you might need; the Travel Health Service offers vaccinations. Get all your travel essentials in one place at Boots with our wide range of summer products.

Travel Vaccination Pharmacies in Mexico

Farmacias Benavides - From medical care to essential services, we offer a range of services, including travel vaccines, to support your well-being and your family. At Farmacias Benavides, we collaborate with certified doctors to provide reliable medical care while maintaining your medical history at any of our branches. 

 

Notes: The clinics and pharmacies listed above are separate commercial enterprises and unrelated to Vax-Before-Travel. Travel vaccine discounts are offered by third parties in the U.S. Various government agencies recommend speaking with a travel vaccine advisor before visiting specific destinations in 2025.

3 min read
Last Reviewed: 
Friday, December 19, 2025 - 11:40
Description: 
Travel vaccines are offered at certified clinics and pharmacies in the United States.
Condition: 
Chikungunya