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The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) today reported a case of plague from Bernalillo County, the second case of the year.
The 77-year-old man was hospitalized in Albuquerque and has since been discharged.
NMDOH stated in a media release on September 24, 2025, that there have been no deaths from plague in 2025.
Since 2000, an average of two human plague cases have been reported per year in New Mexico.
According to the U.S. CDC, an average of seven human plague cases are reported each year in the United States.
Plague is a bacterial disease primarily affecting rodents and is typically transmitted to humans through the bites of infected fleas, but can also be transmitted by direct contact with infected animals, including rodents, wildlife, and pets.
"The bacterium that causes plague can be found in wild rodents and their fleas throughout New Mexico," commented Dr. Erin Phipps, state public health veterinarian for the NMDOH.
"Keeping pets on the flea control product recommended by your veterinarian helps protect them and your family."
Symptoms of plague in humans include sudden onset of fever, chills, headache, and weakness. In most cases, there is a painful swelling of the lymph node in the groin, armpit, or neck.
Symptoms of plague in cats and dogs include fever, lethargy, and loss of appetite. There may be a swelling in the lymph node under the jaw.
See your doctor about any unexplained illness you may have involving sudden and severe fever.
With prompt diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic treatment, the fatality rate in people and pets can be significantly reduced. Physicians who suspect plague should promptly report to the NMDOH.
Plague vaccines have been used since the late 19th century; however, their availability remains limited in 2025.
On September 23, 2025, a Facebook post reported a total of 134 confirmed yellow fever cases (resulting in 58 deaths) in the Republic of Colombia for 2025.
The majority of cases have been reported in the Tolima Department, with 114 cases and 43 deaths.
This department is located west of Bogota, Colombia's capital city.
Other yellow fever cases have been reported in Huila, Cauca, Nariño, Putumayo, Caldas, Meta, Vaupés, and Guaviare y Caquetá.
Published in early September, the U.S. CDC's Level 2 Travel Health Notice stated some of these cases have been reported in new areas that border areas where vaccination has historically been recommended (see map). Travelers to these newly affected areas are now recommended to get vaccinated.
A booster dose may be given to sure travelers or those who received their last dose of yellow fever vaccine at least 10 years previously and will be in a higher-risk setting, such as areas in Colombia where cases have been reported.
In the United States, yellow fever vaccines are commercially offered at travel clinics and pharmacies.
Madison County Public Health (MCPH) recently announced its first recorded human case of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) in Madison County, New York.
On September 22, 2025, MCPH stated in a press release that it had been notified of a confirmed case in a Madison County resident by the Wadsworth Center and is currently investigating. The individual is currently hospitalized for EEE infection.
This disease is often fatal (30%), and many patients who survive EEE experience neurologic impairment.
"Temperatures are getting cooler, and although we are seeing a significant decrease in mosquitoes, they remain not only a nuisance, but a potential health threat. Residents should continue to take steps to prevent mosquito bites to reduce the risk of mosquito-borne disease infection," MCPH Director Eric Faisst stated.
In July 2025, the New York State Department of Health notified MCPH of a mosquito pool that tested positive for EEE. From 1971 through 2024, 12 individuals in New York were diagnosed with EEEV; seven of them died.
About one year ago, a Ulster County resident died following an EEE infection.
This is concerning news since Madison County is located adjacent to Syracuse, New York, which has a population of over 600,000.
EEE is a rare but severe viral disease spread by infected mosquitoes that can affect people and horses. People of all ages are susceptible to infection. While most people bitten by an infected mosquito will not develop symptoms, severe cases may begin with the sudden onset of headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting.
There is no commercially available human vaccine or treatment for EEE. The best protection is to prevent mosquito bites, says MCPH.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently published its 58th situation report on the multi-country outbreak of mpox, detailing the global epidemiological situation and providing an update on the continuing emergency in Africa, where over 90% of cases have been confirmed. Both clades of the monkeypox virus (MPXV) continue to circulate.
As of September 19, 2025, the WHO reported 59 countries across all WHO regions reported a total of 3,780 confirmed cases, including 15 deaths (case fatality ratio 0.4%) in August.
The Eastern Mediterranean and European regions reported an increase in cases in August compared to July 2025.
Nineteen countries in Africa have reported active mpox transmission in the past six weeks.
Clade IIb MPXV continues to be mostly reported in West Africa, Central African countries report both clade Ia and clade Ib MPXV, and East African countries report clade Ib MPXV.
Even though the WHO has downgraded the global Mpox situation, it continues to provide guidance and technical support to countries on targeted vaccination strategies. WHO is supporting countries on planning for the use of dose-sparing options (single dose or intradermal fractional dosing) of MVA-BN vaccine.
More than 1.1 million MVA-BN vaccine doses have been administered.
Mpox vaccination activities have started in 11 countries with the MVA-BN vaccine (Angola, Côte d'Ivoire, the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Uganda). Most countries are implementing a single-dose strategy targeting population groups at high risk of exposure to the human-to-human transmitted virus.
The U.S. CDC recently stated that clade II mpox has become endemic in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
To ensure the United States has an ample supply of vaccines, Emergent BioSolutions Inc. recently announced a $56 million contract to supply ACAM2000® (Smallpox and Mpox (Vaccinia) Vaccine, Live) to the U.S. government.
Deliveries are expected to begin in September.
In the United States, the MVA-BN (JYNNEOS) vaccine remains available at health clinics as of September 22, 2025.
An unprecedented situation arose during the summer of 2025, with the first locally acquired cases of Chikungunya virus disease detected as early as June, notably affecting the Grand Est region for the very first time.
Since the beginning of 2025, France has reported 480 cases of Chikungunya virus infection.
In mid-September 2025, the French Health Ministry reported 97 new locally acquired cases of Chikungunya in thirty-eight active clusters. The largest cluster is located in Antibes and consists of 87 cases.
This area of France's Mediterranean coast is a popular vacation destination, located between Cannes and Nice.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) stated on September 12, 2025, that Chikungunya is not endemic in mainland Europe, with the majority of cases being travel-related.
However, when environmental conditions are favourable, in areas where the Aedes aegypti mosquito is established, viraemic travel-related cases may lead to local transmission of the virus, as demonstrated by the sporadic events of chikungunya virus transmission since 2007.
For more information on locally acquired Chikungunya cases in Europe, refer to the ECDC's seasonal surveillance report.
In addition to avoiding mosquito bites, the French and U.S. governments have approved vaccines for use in areas with Chikungunya outbreaks.
As of September 22, 2025, the U.S. CDC advises international travelers to speak with a travel vaccine expert regarding immunization options before traveling abroad.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) recently reported that health authorities in Bangkok, Thailand, issued an alert regarding human rabies cases following the detection of sick animals in some regions of the city.
From 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, a total of eight human deaths from rabies were reported in the Kingdom of Thailand.
The ECDC wrote on September 19, 2025, the alert included recommendations included if a person has been bitten or scratched by a dog, cat, bat or other mammal in an area where rabies virus is circulating, they are advised to seek medical help immediately, as the timely prophylaxis in the event of exposure to a potentially infected animal is of utmost importance and knowledge of the epidemiological situation is vital to decide on appropriate post-exposure measures.
Treatment consists of local wound care, vaccination, and passive immunisation with immunoglobulin, if indicated.
To be effective, treatment has to be administered as soon as possible after exposure.
On September 22, 2025, the Public Health Veterinary Office, in collaboration with the Prawet District Office, the Wat Pak Bo Public Health Service Center 22, and public health volunteers, conducted a rabies vaccination campaign.
The ECDC wrote that the probability of infection for travellers in Thailand's endemic areas is very low if basic preventive measures are followed, such as avoiding contact with wild and domestic animals, including pets.
In 2024, Bangkok welcomed approximately 30 million international visitors.
Those planning outdoor activities in high-risk zones or remote areas should receive an individual risk assessment and be offered pre-exposure rabies vaccination, if appropriate.
The U.S. CDC writes that rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of Thailand.
However, please consult with a travel vaccine provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.
In the United States, most rabies cases are associated with bat bites, rather than those caused by dogs or cats.
The China CDC recently published its Notifiable Infectious Diseases Report, which highlights various disease cases and related fatalities.
As of September 19, 2025 (10.46234/ccdcw2025.203), several vaccine-preventable diseases that international travelers should be aware of before departing for China were disclosed.
According to the UK TravelHealthPro, when planning a trip to China in 2025, travelers should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK.
These vaccinations include, for example, the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine and the diphtheria-tetanus-polio vaccine.
Those who may be at increased risk of an infectious disease due to their work, lifestyle choices, or specific underlying health problems should be up to date with additional recommended vaccines.
Seperately, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published a Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Health Notice focused on a Chikungunya fever (CF) outbreak in southeastern China.
Chikungunya is a viral infection spread by mosquitoes. It causes a flu-like illness and can lead to severe joint and muscle pains, which may persist for months or even years. But it is rarely fatal.
China's CDC reported its first imported case of CF in 2008. Between 2010 and 2019, local outbreaks resulting from imported instances were documented in Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Yunnan provinces.
During the summer of 2025, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, reported a cluster of CF cases.
In addition to avoiding mosquito bites, the CDC recommends vaccination as a preventive measure for Chikungunya for some travelers to countries in Asia and the Pacific Ocean.
Vaccination may be considered for individuals aged 12 years and over who are traveling to regions with a current Chikungunya outbreak.
For detailed vaccination advice, the CDC and the UK recommend that travelers schedule an appointment with their healthcare professional at least four to six weeks before departure for China.
However, even if time is short, an appointment is still worthwhile, say these health agencies.
