Travel Vaccine Breaking News

Throughout 2025, mpox outbreaks have been reported in various African countries, where the disease has become endemic in forested areas of Central and West Africa.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an outbreak of clade II mpox is currently occurring in Sierra Leone, where mpox is endemic.

The CDC states that, unlike the ongoing global clade II mpox outbreak, which began in May 2022, this outbreak has affected males and females aged 20 to 39 years similarly. 

Furthermore, person-to-person transmission has occurred during this outbreak, including through sexual or other intimate contact.

As of July 17, 2025, Mpox vaccination is recommended for travelers to Sierra Leone who anticipate at-risk activities.

For those recommended to receive the mpox vaccination, two doses of the JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN®, IMVAMUNE®) vaccine, administered at least 28 days apart, are the standard protocol to maximize immunity.

Some countries, such as France, are offering mpox vaccine booster doses in 2025.

Additionally, current research is focused on the risk/benefit of mpox vaccination in infants, breastfeeding, and pregnant women. 

This CDC-recommended vaccine is commercailly available in clinics and pharmacies throughout the United States.

Over the past two years, the Oropouche virus has been reported in regions of South America, Central America, and the Caribbean, raising substantial concerns among international travelers and healthcare providers attempting to diagnose the disease.

Oropouche viral disease presents clinically with symptoms that overlap with those of other mosquito-transmitted diseases such as Chikungunya, Dengue, Malaria, and Zika. 

To address this need, Quest Diagnostics, based in New Jersey, announced the launch of a new diagnostic laboratory test for the Oropouche virus.

Beginning later this summer, Quest's advanced laboratory in San Juan Capistrano, California, will perform the test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology, with serology testing to follow later this quarter.

Reverse transcription PCR testing can identify the RNA of the virus during the early stages of infection to aid diagnosis.

Serology testing, which identifies antibodies produced by the immune system in response to the virus, can aid in diagnosing the virus in later stages of infection.

"As one of the leading providers of laboratory testing, Quest plays an essential role in ensuring the U.S. is prepared to respond to potentially dangerous emerging diseases, such as Oropouche virus," said Yuri Fesko, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Quest Diagnostics, in a press release on July 15, 2025.

"By developing this test, we are prepared to act quickly to offer scalable testing to complement public health labs should this virus become a public health threat."

Oropouche and other virus testing are commercially offered by Ulta Labs Tests.  

From a prevention perspective, the U.S. CDC recommends avoiding outbreaks, such as those in Brazil, Cuba, and Panama, and taking steps to limit mosquito bites.

Brazil has reported cases of Oropouche virus being passed from a pregnant woman to their fetus. These cases are currently under investigation.

The CDC says pregnant travelers should talk to their healthcare provider about travel plans, why they're traveling, steps to prevent insect bites,

As of July 17, 2025, no vaccine is available to prevent this disease, nor are there any medicines to treat Oropouche infections. 

The Romanian Government recently posted on Facebook that a confirmed case of malaria has been reported by the Public Health Directorate of the Municipality of Bucharest, in a resident with no history of recent travel abroad.

As of July 10, 2025, the Ministry of Health reported that there have been 21 travel-related malaria cases this year, and this new case is the first locally acquired case.

Since malaria is a mosquito-borne disease, this report raises concerns regarding potential additional local cases in Romania.

Currently, malaria vaccines are offered in various African countries, but not in Romania or the United States.

This year, four people in Florida have died from an infection caused by a bacterium commonly known as the "flesh-eating" bacterium. To date, 11 infections in various countries have been reported this year from this waterborne and foodborne pathogen.

As of July 11, 2025, the Florida Department of Health reported that fatalities had occurred in Hillsborough, Bay, Broward, and St. Johns counties. 

In 2024, Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Pasco, Pinellas, and Sarasota Counties experienced an unusual increase due to the impacts of Hurricane Helene. Florida reported 82 cases and 19 fatalities last year.

During 2024, Pinellas County (Tampa Bay) led all Florida counties with 15 cases and three deaths.

The disease is caused by Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium that thrives in warm water and is termed "halophilic" because it requires salt to survive, as stated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Importantly, individuals who are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system should wear proper foot protection to prevent cuts and injuries caused by rocks and shells on the beach, according to the CDC.

Additionally, thousands of cases are related to the consumption of contaminated food. 

The CDC estimates that approximately 80,000 cases occur each year, leading to about 100 deaths annually. 

The CDC recommends avoiding contact with open wounds from brackish water, salt water, and raw seafood, and thoroughly cooking oysters and other seafood before eating, to prevent infection and illness.

As of July 15, 2025, there are no approved vaccines to prevent Vibrio vulnificus-related illness.

India is a tropical country undergoing rapid urbanization, making it one of the most affected regions for vector-borne diseases, including Chikungunya Fever.

Epidemics of Chikungunya have been reported since 1963 and continue to occur, with the most recent outbreak recorded in 2025, particularly in the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

As of July 14, 2025, India's National Center for Vector-Borne Diseases Control had reported a total of 30,876 Chikungunya cases this year. 

However, according to local news reports, the number of Chikungunya cases in India may be underreported as the rainy season approaches due to issues with diagnostic testing.

Blood tests diagnose Chikungunya. However, since the clinical appearance of both Chikungunya and Dengue is similar, laboratory confirmation is crucial, especially in areas where Dengue is prevalent.

Furthermore, the U.S. CDC says laboratory testing practices for Chikungunya vary significantly among the 100 countries reporting cases.

In Bhopal, the capital city of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, a higher positivity rate for Chikungunya was recently detected at 7.02% compared to Dengue's 2.47% in July 2025.

In 2024, Bhopal reported a 16% positivity rate for Chikungunya.

Since millions of international travelers visit India each year, various health agencies have issued vaccination recommendations.

To prevent infections, the CDC recommends that Chikungunya vaccination may be considered for individuals traveling to or moving to India, particularly if they plan to stay for an extended period.

When departing from the United States for India, travel vaccine clinics and pharmacies offer Chikungunya vaccination services for a fee.

As the summer vacation season peaks in late July, international travelers should be aware of where the measles virus is spreading.

According to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 529 laboratory-confirmed cases of measles were reported in England in 2025.

The unfortunate leader is London, with 44% (233 of 529) of these cases.

Other measles outbreaks have been reported in the East of England, the North West, Bristol, Hackney, and Leeds.

To alert all travelers, the U.S. CDC updated its Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions, Global Measles alert at the end of May 2025.

The UK's NHS says Measles is an infection that spreads very easily in areas such as airplanes, trains, and closed spaces like conference centers.

However, obtaining the MMR vaccine is the best way to prevent infection.

In the United States, MMR vaccines are available at clinics and pharmacies. The CDC recommends vaccination weeks ahead to visiting measles-risk areas in 2025.

The World Health Organization (WHO) published the 55th situation report for the multi-country outbreak of mpox virus (MPXV), which provides details on the global epidemiological situation for mpox, including an update in Africa.

All clades of MPXV continue to circulate in several countries.

On July 11, 2025, the WHO stated that only Türkiye has reported the detection of a new MPXV sub-clade since report #54, in a traveler from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In Africa, community transmission of clade Ib MPXV remains limited to 19 countries. Most countries with previous sporadic importations are currently not reporting active transmission of clade Ib MPXV.

As of July 8, 2025, the countries of Burundi, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia are experiencing sustained human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Clade IIb MPXV continues to be reported in West Africa, while Central African countries report both clade Ia and clade Ib MPXV, and East African countries report clade Ib MPXV.

The WHO noted that, despite progress in response activities implemented through collaboration among governments, international partners, and communities, significant funding gaps are threatening the deployment of vaccines.

Approximately 724,000 MVA-BN (JYNNEOS) vaccine doses had been administered in 7 countries, out of the 1.9 million vaccine doses allocated to 13 countries, partly due to funding requirements for shipping to the countries.

Additionally, the DRC had received 1.55 million doses of the LC16m8 vaccine from a bilateral agreement.

In the United States, the JYNNEOS vaccine has become readily available at travel clinics and pharmacies and is recommended for specific international travelers.