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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health recently confirmed a total of five Chikungunya Fever (CF) cases have been recorded in Hong Kong in 2025, all of which were travel-related.
Additionally, as of August 10, 2025, one probable (local) case of this disease has been identified.
The CHP says that given the occurrence of multiple imported cases in Hong Kong, there is a risk of secondary local transmission via mosquitoes.
The CHP issued a letter reminding doctors to arrange testing for patients presenting symptoms consistent with CF, regardless of their travel history. Testing should also be considered for patients showing any symptoms of CF who have a travel history to affected areas, based on clinical judgment. The CHP's Public Health Laboratory Services Branch is providing free testing to ensure rapid diagnosis.
According to the U.S. CDC's Level 2 - Practice Enhanced Precautions, Travel Health Advisory issued on August 1, 2025, there is a substantial Chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong Province, China.
Most local and travel cases have been reported in Foshan City, which is located north of Hong Kong.
The CDC writes, 'You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites, which includes using insect repellent; wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants; and staying in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors.'
Additionally, vaccination is recommended for travelers who are visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak. Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the United States and are available at travel vaccine retailers.
At present, there is no locally registered Chikungunya vaccine available in Hong Kong.
Since the beginning of 2025, and as of August 6, 2025, six countries in Europe have reported human cases of West Nile virus infection: Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, and Romania.
Italy's health ministry says Most infected people show no symptoms. Of those who do, about 20% have mild symptoms: fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rashes.
However, as of August 10, 2025, Italy has reported 13 related fatalities in 2025, with new cases reported in Caserta and Lazio.
Currently, there are no vaccines authorized to protect people from this mosquito-transmitted virus.
The producer of the Yellow Fever vaccine, Sanofi, recently advised the United Kingdom's National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) that the yellow fever vaccine Stamaril® (17D-YFV, 17D-213) is expected to be available for ordering in the UK by August 15, 2025.
Since August 1, 2025, the UK has had limited access to Stamaril.
The NaTHNaC says this YF vaccine's availability is subject to change, and this should be taken into account when advising the traveller. Where a provider is unable to provide the YF vaccine during this vaccine shortage, the provider is expected to proactively research alternative supplies in their locality and direct international travellers accordingly.
If attempts to source the YF vaccine are unsuccessful, health professionals can contact the NaTHNaC advice line to discuss with an advisor.
Regardless of vaccine access in the UK, various countries, such as Brazil and Colombia, require proof of YF vaccination upon arrival in 2025.
As of August 10, 2025, the travel vaccination centers in the United States have access to the YF-VAX vaccine, which Sanofi also produces.
The World Health Organisation Eastern Mediterranean Region (WHO EMRO) recently reported one new case of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS) in Saudi Arabia. Since the beginning of 2025, there have been a total of 11 reported MERS cases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including two fatalities.
Since 2012, as of August 8, 2025, a total of 2,639 cases of MERS, including 957 deaths, have been reported by health authorities worldwide.
According to the WHO-EMRO, the probability of sustained human-to-human transmission among the general population in Europe remains very low, and the impact of the disease on the general population is considered low.
This assumption is based on the fact that very few people are exposed to dromedary camels. Currently, the Saudi Arabian camel population is about 2 million.
Around 20% of all cases have reported contact with camels or their products.
The WHO states there have not been any reports of tourists riding camels becoming infected with MERS.
As of 2025, no approved MERS vaccine exists, but several vaccine candidates are being tested in human clinical trials. For example, the VTP-500 vaccine candidate has completed Phase I clinical trials in the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia.
While the European CDC says Chikungunya is not endemic in mainland EU/EEA, outbreaks have been reported in 2025.
According to the latest ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report, as of August 6, 2025, France and Italy have reported locally acquired cases of chikungunya virus disease:
France's health authorities have identified 63 locally acquired cases of Chikungunya across 16 different local administrative units.
Currently, there are eleven active clusters. Notably, cases were reported for the first time in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, with three instances in one cluster. Additionally, three cases representing a new cluster were reported in Gard.
In the active clusters located in the departments of Corse-du-Sud, Isère, Hérault, and Bouches-du-Rhône, two new cases have been reported in each cluster.
The most significant clusters are in southern France, specifically in Salon-de-Provence, Grans, and Lambesc in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, as well as Grosseto-Prugna in the Corse-du-Sud department, with each cluster consisting of 13 cases.
In Italy, two clusters remain active.
For the current risk assessment of chikungunya virus disease in mainland EU/EEA, please visit the ECDC's dedicated chikungunya webpage.
Fortunately, chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in Europe and the United States.
The U.S. CDC advises international travelers to speak with a travel vaccine expert regarding immunization options. Chikungunya vaccines are commercailly offered at select retailers.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) recently reported that environmental samples of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 1 (cVDPV1) had been identified in Israel.
On August 4, 2025, GPEI reported that Israel confirmed six cVDPV1 samples, five from Jerusalem and one from the Center.
The Jerusalem Post reported that wastewater samples collected from Bnei Brak, Ramle, Lod, and the Shafdan treatment facility followed detections in Jerusalem-area wastewater in April 2025.
Israeli health authorities urge all unvaccinated individuals to complete their polio vaccinations. Health providers are also instructed to intensify monitoring for signs of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP).
In February 2023, the Israeli Ministry of Health issued an official alert describing a local case of AFP.
Furthermore, the GPEI says the spread of the poliovirus remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
"If a child's vaccination status is unknown, it can be checked on the personal government website via the digital vaccination booklet," the Health Ministry stated.
In March 2025, Israel discontinued offering the live attenuated polio vaccine (oral). It now provides the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV).
In the United States, the IPV vaccine has been utilized since 2000, and is available at most travel clinics and pharmacies.
As of August 8, 2025, the U.S. CDC suggests international travelers visiting polio-risk areas speak with a travel vaccine advisor about booster dose options.
While local cases of malaria are rarely reported in the United States, there were 10 cases across four states in 2023.
According to a news release, Washington State may soon be added to this list of affected areas.
On August 6, 2025, a press release announced that a resident of East Pierce County, who had not traveled recently, was diagnosed with malaria in early August. Dr. James Miller, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Officer, stated, "The risk of contracting malaria in Pierce County remains very low."
"Malaria is generally rare in the U.S., and the vast majority of cases occur after exposure to countries where malaria transmission is ongoing."
In the U.S., approximately 2,000 to 2,500 cases of malaria are reported each year, primarily linked to travel. In 2025, states like Florida have reported numerous travel-related cases (28), related principally to travelers from Cuba.
Previously, Florida reported local cases on both coasts.
It is important to note that malaria does not spread directly from person to person.
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite. The incubation period—the time from infection to the onset of symptoms—ranges from 7 to 30 days.
Malaria can be treated and cured with prescription antimalarial medications; however, if not diagnosed and treated quickly, it can become life-threatening.
In Africa, two approved vaccines that help prevent malaria are currently in use. However, as of August 7, 2025, these vaccines are not available in the U.S.
Bali, a province of the Republic of Indonesia, is once again confronted with an outbreak of rabies cases related to dog bites.
As of August 2025, visitors to Bali resort areas such as Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua, and Jimbara have been warned about rabid dogs in these areas. Other areas include the Mengwi District, which covers Canggu's Pererenan Beach and Seseh.
However, the acting head of animal health, Anak Agung Istri Brahmi Witari, told the Courier Mail that 'no more than five dogs were responsible for the cases.'
In 2024, Bali confirmed that four people had died while testing positive for rabies following dog bites.
According to the U.S. CDC, dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Indonesia.
The CDC states that if rabies exposures occur while in Indonesia, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country. Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before visiting Indonesia in 2025.
In the U.S., rabies vaccines are offered at travel clinics and pharmacies.
In addition to rabies, the CDC has included Indonesia in recent polio and measles Travel Health Advisories.
