Travel Vaccine Breaking News

The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) recently confirmed that a cat and a fox have tested positive for rabies in separate incidents that impacted people. 

As of July 17, 2025, rabies is most commonly found in South Carolina (S.C.) wildlife, including raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats.

However, most rabies cases in the United States are associated with bat bites, not dog bites.

In Greenville County, the cat that tested positive for rabies was found near Holland Ford and Beech Springs roads in Pelzer, S.C.

In 2024, six of the 81 confirmed rabies cases in S.C. were in Greenville County, which has a population exceeding 500,000.

In Marion County, the fox that tested positive for rabies was found near the intersection of Sandhill and Ellis roads in Marion. One person was exposed and has been referred to their healthcare provider. This fox is the third animal to test positive for rabies in that county in 2025.

There have been 45 cases of rabid animals in S.C. in 2025.

Since 2002, S.C. has averaged approximately 144 positive cases a year.

Terri McCollister, DPH, Rabies Program manager, commented in a press release, “Any mammal can carry and transmit the rabies virus to people or pets. Therefore, give wild and stray animals plenty of space.”

According to the DPH, rabies is a treatable and vaccine-preventable disease. Rabies information for local Public Health offices is available at dph.sc.gov/RabiesContacts. For more information on rabies, visit  dph.sc.gov/rabies or cdc.gov/rabies.

Local media (ANI) reported that the Afghanistan Ministry of Public Health recently launched a polio vaccination campaign targeting 7.3 million children across 19 provinces of Afghanistan.

Healthcare providers have emphasized the crucial role of public awareness and ongoing investment in eradicating polio. Dr. Mojtaba Sufi, a health expert in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, reiterated in a news article, "The only effective way to prevent polio is through vaccination, and the international community provides these vaccines.

This new vaccination campaign is essential as Afghanistan is affected by ongoing endemic wild poliovirus (WPV) transmission. 

The total number of WPV1 cases in 2025 is two, which compares to 2024 when 25 cases were confirmed.

As of July 23, 2025, the U.S. CDC and the WHO's International Travel and Health recommend that all travellers to polio-affected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Residents (and visitors staying for more than 4 weeks) from areas infected with poliovirus, such as Afghanistan, should receive an additional dose of oral or inactivated polio vaccine within 4 weeks to 12 months after travel.

Additionally, a booster dose may be recommended for specific travelers.

Currently, the CDC lists 41 countries as being at risk for poliovirus.

Austin Public Health (APH) announced yesterday that its wastewater surveillance in Travis County has detected the presence of the measles virus collected during the first week of July 2025.

As of July 21, 2025, this detection may indicate an undetected case or cases of measles in the local community that exceeds 1 million residents.

Furthermore, Austin adds another 50,000 college students each year during August and hosts over 100,000 football fans most weekends in the Fall.

So far in 2025, only two measles cases have been confirmed among Travis County residents, both of which were linked to exposure during international travel.

However, the State of Texas has reported numerous measles cases in western counties, as well as in Dallas and Houston counties.

Measles is highly contagious and is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The disease can actively linger in the air and on surfaces for up to two hours. If someone breathes contaminated air or touches infected surfaces and then their eyes, nose, or mouth, they can become infected.

APH says if one person has measles, 9 out of 10 unvaccinated people nearby will become infected if they are not protected.

APH offers the MMR vaccine for uninsured and underinsured Austinites at its Shots for Tots and Big Shots clinics.

The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) recently issued a health alert confirming an increase in pertussis (whooping cough) cases in the state.

As of July 10, 2025, 80 cases have been reported so far this year. This total is an increase from 2024, when the MSDH reported 49 cases.

As of July 22, 2025, no related fatalities have been reported.

Most (76%) of this year's cases have occurred in children less than 18 years of age. Of the 73 age-eligible cases for pertussis vaccination, 28 were not vaccinated.

While cases have been reported statewide, 40% were identified in northeast Mississippi.

According to the U.S. CDC, reported cases of pertussis have increased across the United States. Preliminary data show that more than six times as many cases were reported in 2024 compared to 2023. 

The CDC states that there's no distinct seasonal pattern to pertussis; however, past trends suggest that cases may increase in the summer and fall.

Pertussis is transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets or contact with airborne droplets. Patients are considered infectious from the onset of symptoms until three weeks after the start of high-pitched coughing fits, or until they have completed five days of antibiotics.

Vaccination, one of the safest and most effective ways to protect against pertussis, is recommended for everyone. Two types of combination vaccines include protection against pertussis, as well as diphtheria and tetanus: DTaP and Tdap.

DTaP is recommended for younger children, while Tdap is recommended for older children, pregnant women, and adults.

Recommended treatment includes antibiotics within three weeks of cough onset in people 1 year of age and older, and within six weeks of cough onset in infants younger than 1 year old and pregnant women.

MSDH offers vaccinations to children and uninsured adults at county health departments. To make an appointment, visit msdh.ms.gov/pertussis or call (855) 767-0170.

In 2025, the United States reached an unfortunate milestone with a record number of measles cases, leading many patients to look for medication.

According to a press release issued today by NanoViricides, Inc., the company has made significant progress in developing a drug to combat measles.

On July 21, 2025, NanoViricides stated NV-387 showed strong antiviral effectiveness against the measles virus.

"NV-387 is on its way to become the very first drug to treat Measles," commented Anil R. Diwan, PhD, adding, "Measles cases are skyrocketing globally, and the world needs a drug."

NV-387 is a clinical-stage, broad-spectrum antiviral drug designed to act as a decoy for a cell, presenting to the virus the very features it requires for binding to the cell. Upon binding, the virus particle is destroyed, preventing infection.

While most measles cases can be prevented through vaccination, the percentage of the population that would not benefit from vaccination continues to increase due to chronic diseases and immunological deficiencies.

Thus, a treatment for measles is of paramount importance to the global health community.

The United States is currently in the midst of the annual tick season; however, new data indicate fewer tick bites than in most seasons.

This data is very positive as it indicates the number of Lyme Disease cases in the U.S. will be reduced.

As of July 21, 2025, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a decreasing tick-bite trend when compared to the previous year.

While there are nearly 900 species of ticks globally, only a handful pose a significant risk to humans, such as those that cause Lyme Disease.

However, since 1995, the range of Lyme disease cases has expanded significantly, migrating from Lyme, Connecticut, decades ago, now reaching into the upper Midwest, such as Michigan, which reported 1,215 cases in 2024.

From a disease prevention perspective, without an approved vaccine, the best tactic is to take precautions to avoid being bitten by ticks when outdoors in 2025.

The Republic of Mauritius today announced its adoption of an innovative strategy to combat mosquito-borne diseases through the implementation of the Sterile Insect Technique.

This method involves releasing sterilised male mosquitoes into the wild to mate with females, thereby reducing the mosquito population and containing the spread of diseases such as Chikungunya and Dengue.

This program is essential as the island of Mauritius has already reported over 1,500 Chikungunya cases in 2025.

Furthermore, France's neighboring departments reported a surge in Chikungunya cases in the Indian Ocean, east of Africa.

In a statement published on July 18, 2025, the Minister highlighted that the Sterile Insect Technique has proven effective during a pilot phase and is safer than traditional methods such as larviciding and fogging, which rely on chemical insecticides.

He noted that while current cases of mosquito-borne diseases remain low—around 40 cases of Chikungunya and none of Dengue—now is the time to prepare for the high-risk summer season.

The Sterile Insect Technique has been implemented over the past two to three years and has resulted in a 70% reduction in the mosquito population across a 20-hectare area in Port Louis.

While there is no specific treatment for Chikungunya infections, two vaccines are currently available in various countries, including the United States.