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Since the Zika virus was first recognized in Africa in 1947, it has been detected globally in 92 countries and territories. With its first case in 2016, India has been an unfortunate leader in Zika cases.
Last year, a total of 151 Zika virus disease (ZVD) cases were reported from three states in India: Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra states.
Maharashtra reported a cumulative total of 140 ZVD cases in 2024, the highest since 2021.
Located in India's western region, Mumbai is Maharashtra's capital, with about 13 million residents.
As of January 29, 2025, the World Health Organization News reported that, based on current ZVD information, no travel or trade restriction with India is recommended.
However, the U.S. CDC issued a Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions regarding Maharashtra's Zika outbreak in August 2024.
Last year, in the United States, the CDC reported 19 non-congenital Zika cases in U.S. residents (1 imported case in Texas).
The CDC says Zika is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes found throughout Puerto Rico.
Additionally, Zika is also transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy, as well as through sexual contact, transfusion of blood and blood products, and possibly through organ transplantation.
A recent study concluded young children diagnosed with congenital Zika syndrome had a 13-fold higher risk of morbidity compared with those without.
There is no specific treatment available for Zika virus infection or disease.
Furthermore, Zika vaccines have not yet been approved.
As vacationers plan their winter 2025 holiday trip to Florida's beautiful beaches to enjoy the warm weather, taking steps to prevent mosquito bites remains essential. In Florida, 14 species of Anopheles mosquitoes have been found to transmit diseases to humans.
As of early January 2025, mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue fever, have been reported again in Florida.
The Florida Department of Health (FDH) updated its Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Surveillance Report on January 25, 2025, confirming twenty-two cases of dengue were reported among persons who had international travel, and one locally acquired dengue case was reported.
Last year, 999 travel-associated dengue cases were reported, mainly among Brazil, Cuba (567), and Puerto Rico visitors.
Furthermore, 91 locally acquired dengue cases were reported from ten counties in 2024, led by Miami-Dade (50).
While dengue preventive vaccines remain unavailable in the United States, FDH and the U.S. CDC encourage all visitors to dengue-endemic areas to avoid mosquito bites. This CDC advice is particularly relevant for pregnant women, as the dengue virus has been detected in unborn infants.
The World Health Organization published its 46th situation report for the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox virus, including reports of new travel-related mpox cases due to clade Ib MPXV.
As of January 28, 2025, the WHO confirmed new travel-related clade Ib MPXV cases had been detected in countries that had already detected travel-related cases, including China, Germany, Thailand, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the United States. Azerbaijan has reported its first case during this outbreak.
The outbreak of clade Ib continues predominantly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi, and Uganda.
Outside Africa, 11 countries have detected clade Ib MPXV.
In the U. S., since May 2022, most reported mpox cases are clade II.
Additionally, mpox vaccinations are commercially available at clinics and pharmacies in the U.S.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) today announced a confirmed case of influenza A(H5N1) in a person in the West Midlands region of Enhland.
The person acquired the infection on a farm, where they had close and prolonged contact with many infected birds. The birds were infected with the DI.2 genotype, one of the viruses circulating in birds in the UK this season.
As of January 27, 2025, the individual was admitted to a High Consequence Infectious Disease unit.
Despite extensive recent surveillance, no human-to-human transmission has been demonstrated. Therefore, the UKHSA has been tracing all individuals in contact with the confirmed case of avian influenza.
The first confirmed human case of A(H5N1) in England was in January 2022.
The UKHSA says the risk to the broader public remains very low in late January 2025.
In a press release, Minister for Public Health and Prevention Andrew Gwynne commented, "We recently added the H5 vaccine, which protects (people) against avian influenza, to our stockpile as part of our preparedness plans."
This person was infected with a different H5N1 strain circulating among mammals and birds in the United States.
The U.S. government has invested in avian influenza vaccines for people in the past few years.
GSK plc and the University of Oxford (Oxford) today announced that they have entered a new research collaboration focused on the potential of cancer prevention through vaccination.
GSK will invest up to £50 million ($62m) over three years to support this early research.
Confirmed on January 27, 2025, the GSK-Oxford Cancer Immuno-Prevention Programme will conduct translational research, exploring precancer biology to generate key insights on how cancer develops in humans that could inform new approaches to cancer vaccination.
Professor Irene Tracey, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, commented in a press release, “This partnership represents a step forward in cancer research. By working with GSK to unite experts in clinical trials, immuno-oncology, vaccinology, and precancer research from across the University of Oxford, we aim to unlock the potential of cancer vaccines and bring hope to patients worldwide.”
The Florida Health Department recently confirmed a record number of Vibrio vulnificus (V. vibrio) cases and deaths in 2024. While infections are rare, this increase was related to hurricanes in the year's second half.
As of January 3, 2025, Florida reported 83 V. vibrio cases and 18 deaths last year. Pinellas County (Tampa Bay) led all counties with 15 cases and three deaths.
In 2023, there were 46 cases and 11 related deaths.
About 80,000 cases of vibriosis happen each year in the United States.
Vibrio is a naturally occurring bacterium in warm seawater. Brackish water is a mixture of salt and fresh water often found where rivers meet the ocean. People can get vibriosis after swallowing Vibrio or getting it in a wound.
Florida and the U.S. CDC recommend not to enter the salt water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes.
Furthermore, there are no protective V. vibrio vaccines available in 2025.
However, various travel vaccines are available to protect people when visiting Florida.
According to the updated Annual Antrax Epidemiological Report, this rare Zoonotic disease continues to be detected in humans in Europe.
From 2018 to 2021, EU/EEA countries reported 11 confirmed cases.
However, for 2022, the Republic of Croatia reported seventeen anthrax cases (eight confirmed, nine probable), Romania reported three cases, and Spain reported two. And there were no fatalities in any of these countries.
The large outbreak of anthrax in cattle in Croatia was associated with human cases.
All confirmed cases for which information was provided presented with cutaneous anthrax (N=4) after exposure to farm animals (N=3) and were domestically acquired (N=4).
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) stated on January 22, 2025, that spore-forming bacteria cause anthrax and is not spread from person to person.
The most at-risk populations for developing anthrax are those who are in close contact with animals and potentially contaminated animal products and those who live in endemic areas.
The ECDC says vaccines against anthrax are available and are approved in some EU/EEA countries. Guidelines recommend vaccination for people at risk, such as veterinarians, abattoir workers, those working with animal hides or furs, laboratory workers, and armed forces members in areas with a high risk of exposure.
In addition to pre-exposure prophylaxis with vaccines, the anthrax vaccine is also recommended for post-exposure prophylaxis.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration approved the anthrax vaccine (Emergent BioSolutions, CYFENDUS™), recommended for most adults at risk of exposure to anthrax bacteria.
It is also recommended for unvaccinated people of all ages who have been exposed to anthrax. These people should get three doses of anthrax vaccine together with recommended antibiotic drugs.
In the U.S., anthrax vaccines are not generally available at pharmacies.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recently published recommended actions for response regarding respiratory viruses and preventive vaccines during the 2025 winter season.
On January 24, 2025, the ECDC stated that primary and secondary care consultation rates have increased in several countries recently and that significant respiratory virus activity is occurring in Europe.
Seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) epidemics are ongoing.
All indicators point to widespread high influenza activity in the EU/EEA, albeit some countries are now observing slightly decreasing trends in test positivity following a peak in transmission.
In recent weeks, RSV activity decreased overall at the EU/EEA level, although the country-level picture remains mixed.
The ECDC says 'vaccination is the most effective measure to protect against more severe forms of viral respiratory diseases. Those eligible for vaccination, particularly those at higher risk of severe outcomes, are encouraged to get vaccinated.'
According to Stattista, Europe accounts for over half of international tourist arrivals worldwide, with inbound arrivals exceeding 700 million in 2023.
As of January 26, 2025, the U.S. CDC and the ECDC encourage international travelers to be updated on travel vaccines relevant to their pending trip abroad.
