Vaccine News

Acne,  a common skin condition, has long been dismissed as a rite of passage for millions of adolescents for years. The U.S. NIH says hormones and genetics play a role in acne cases, but it is primarily driven by inflammation and lesions caused by bacteria that grow in clogged pores.

Sebum, oil that helps keep skin from drying out, and dead skin cells plug the pores, which leads to outbreaks of lesions, commonly called pimples or zits.

Most often, outbreaks occur on the face but can also appear on the back, chest, and shoulders, as stated by the NIH.

But vaccine researchers are attempting to change how to manage this unfortunate issue..

According to an article written by Benjamin Plackett and published by Nature on August 27, 2025, two vaccine candidates that aim to engage the immune system in tackling the underlying cause of acne.

The vaccines, one that treats the condition and one that acts as a preventive measure, both attempt to provoke the immune system into targeting these acne-causing bacteria.

“It has taken time for the field to treat acne as a disease of immune regulation, rather than just a surface issue," says dermatologist Anjali Mahto, spokesperson for the London-based British Skin Foundation.

"What matters most is this shift in mindset."

The complete, unedited article is posted at this link.

The WHO today published its Multi-country outbreak of mpox External situation report #57.

The World Health Organization (WHO) stated on August 28, 2025, that all monkeypox virus (MPXV) clades continue to circulate in several countries. When mpox outbreaks are not rapidly contained and human-to-human transmission is not interrupted, they continue to pose a risk of sustained community transmission.

In July 2025, 47 countries in five (out of six) WHO regions reported a total of 3,924 confirmed cases, including 30 deaths (case fatality ratio 0.8%).

The South-East Asian and Western Pacific regions reported an increase in cases in July 2025, while the African Region, European Region, and the Region of the Americas reported a decrease. 

To alert international travelers to this serious health risk, the WHO Director-General has extended the standing recommendations for mpox issued to States Parties until August 20, 2026, to prevent further spread or reduce the international spread of mpox, as well as its impact on health.

The WHO and the U.S. CDC recommend mpox vaccination for those with the highest risk profile.

In light of the resurgence of pertussis across several countries in the region and the emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant strains, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reiterated the importance of strengthening vaccination and surveillance systems. 

Known as Whooping cough, pertussis, is a very contagious respiratory illness that has resurged in the Americas. While 4,139 cases were reported in 2023, the number soared to 43,751 in 2024. 

In the United States, preliminary data show that more than six times as many cases were reported in 2024 compared to 2023. 

In the first seven months of 2025, nine countries, including Brazil, Mexico, Peru, and the U.S., reported over 18,595 cases and 128 deaths.

The PAHO states that the resurgence is linked to declining vaccination rates and emphasizes the need for strengthened, standardized surveillance.

Regional coverage for the first and third vaccine doses dropped to historic lows of 87% and 81% in 2021, respectively.

By 2023, a partial recovery was observed (90% and 88%), but these rates remain below the 95% recommended by PAHO, with significant disparities within countries.

Pilar Ramón-Pardo, head of PAHO's Special Program on Antimicrobial Resistance, commented in a media release on August 26, 2025, "We still have time to contain this issue, but we must act now: increase vaccination coverage, strengthen early detection, and enhance our outbreak response capacity."

When visiting countries such as Brazil, the U.S. CDC recommends travelers be protected against pertussis. Specifically, vaccination is essential from pregnant women and infants visiting outbreak areas.

Various pertussis vaccines are offered at clinics and pharmacies in August 2025.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) disease is currently not classified as a notifiable disease in China. However, both Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which transmit this serious virus to people, are known to be present in Guangdong Province, a southeastern Chinese province.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), as of August 16, 2025, 9,933 CHIKV disease cases have been reported in Guangdong Province since the outbreak began in July 2025.

Last week, the Guangdong Provincial CDC reported 830 new CHIKV cases, primarily from Foshan (644) and Guangzhou (85).

Since international travelers frequently visit these Chinese cities, the ECDC has assessed the risk to visitors.

According to International Air Transport Association data from July and August 2024, more than 60,000 travelers arrived in the mainland EU/EEA from the affected region via the two major international airports situated near the epicenter of the outbreak.

The positive news is that Chinese public health authorities have implemented stringent vector control measures aimed at reducing mosquito populations.

Furthermore, given the typically self-limiting nature of the disease and the limited severity of clinical outcomes in most cases, the overall impact is considered low.

Therefore, based on current epidemiological data and control measures in place, the risk of chikungunya virus infection in travellers returning from the affected areas of Guangdong province to the EU/EEA is assessed as low.

However, the importation of the virus by travelers returning from China may result in additional local transmissions, as seen in France and Italy. 

To alert travelers, on August 26, 2025, the U.S. CDC updated its Travel Health Advisory, stating, 'if you are pregnant, reconsider travel to the affected areas, particularly if you are close to delivering your baby.'

Additionally, vaccination is recommended for travelers who are visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak.  

The mosquito-transmitted West Nile virus was first detected in New York's five boroughs more than 25 years ago, with about 31 people infected in recent years. 

According to the New York Health Department press release on August 22, 2025, West Nile virus disease has been reported in two New Yorkers, both residents of Queens.

One individual was diagnosed with West Nile fever, was briefly hospitalized, and has since been discharged.

The second individual was diagnosed with West Nile neuroinvasive disease and is currently hospitalized with encephalitis, an infection in the brain.

In addition, the virus was detected in blood donations from two individuals, one a resident of Brooklyn, the other of Staten Island.

Recent reports of two more individuals (both from Brooklyn) with possible West Nile virus disease are under investigation.

While most patients infected with West Nile virus disease go on to fully recover, some continue to have health problems months after infection. In addition, about 1 in 150 people, especially those 55 years and older or with a weakened immune system, can develop a serious and potentially fatal illness of the brain and spinal cord called West Nile neuroinvasive disease, leading to changes in mental status and muscle weakness requiring hospitalization, according to the Health Department.

"West Nile virus can cause serious illness, especially among people over 55 and with weakened immune systems," said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse in the press release.

"The Health Department says ... use an EPA-registered repellent and wear long sleeve shirts and pants — especially at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes that transmit the virus are active."

And, "Eliminate standing water so mosquitoes can't breed, and make sure you have intact screens on your doors and windows. The virus has been detected in mosquitoes across the city — visit the online map."

The Health Department stated ten adulticiding spray operations, three aerial larvicidings, two rounds of catch basin larviciding, and 1,104 ground-based larvicidings have been completed to date.

Across the United States, the U.S. CDC reports that 33 states have confirmed over 320 WNV cases in 2025.

And in Europe, as of August 20, 2025, nine countries have reported human cases of WNV: Albania, Bulgaria, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Serbia, and Spain.

From a prevention perspective, there are no West Nile virus vaccines available in 2025.

Throughout 2025, many countries in the Pacific Region reported dengue fever outbreaks that affected thousands of people and disrupted vacation plans.

A popular travel destination has announced some positive news.

The Republic of Fiji Ministry of Health and Medical Services recently announced the end of the dengue outbreak in the Western and Central Divisions.

As of August 8, 2025, Fiji's government made this decision after concluding that the number of reported cases had decreased.

The outbreak officially began in February 2025 in the Western Division and in April in the Central Division.

About 11,599 dengue cases were reported across Fiji this year.

While the outbreak has ended, mosquito-transmitted dengue viruses remain endemic in Fiji and a health threat to everyone.

From a prevention perspective, numerious countries are offering a second-generation dengue vaccine that has demonstrated adequate protection against some of dengue's four virus types.

As of August 23, 2025, dengue vaccines are unavailable in the United States, except in Puerto Rico.

A portion of Santa Clara County has been placed under quarantine for the Mediterranean fruit fly (Medfly) following the detection of two wild female flies in the city of San José.

According to a media release by the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Public Affairs (CDFA) on August 21, 2025, if not stopped, Medflies can devastate fruits and vegetables by reproducing and leaving larvae in produce.

The quarantine area measures approximately 109 square miles, bordered on the north by Trade Zone Boulevard; on the south by Camden Avenue; on the west by San Tomas Expressway; and on the east by Evergreen Valley Community College. 

The quarantine will cover parts of the cities of San José, Santa Clara, Campbell, and the town of Los Gatos. A link to the quarantine map may be found here: www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/medfly/regulation.html.

Sterile male Medflies are scheduled to be released in the area as part of the eradication effort. The release rate will be 250,000 males per square mile per week in an 84.76 square mile area around the infestation. 

Sterile male flies mate with fertile wild female flies in the natural environment but produce no offspring. The fly population decreases as the wild flies reach the end of their natural life span with no offspring to replace them, ultimately resulting in the eradication of the pest.

Additionally, properties within 200 meters of the detection sites are treated with an organic formulation of Spinosad, which originates from naturally occurring bacteria in soil, to eliminate any mated females and reduce the density of the population.

To further reduce the population, properties within 100 meters of infested properties are subject to host-plant or fruit removal to eliminate eggs and larvae.

Furthermore, the invasive flies can then spread to other regions outside the San Francisco Bay Area.

CDFA wrote that it is working collaboratively with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Santa Clara County Division of Agriculture on this project. This project is new and separate from the recently eradicated Medfly infestation in Alameda County, CA.

The quarantine will affect any growers, wholesalers, and retailers of susceptible fruit in the area, as well as residents. Home gardeners are urged not to move homegrown produce from their property.

However, residents living in the quarantine area may consume or process fruit on the property where they were picked or dispose of fruit by bagging and sealing it and placing it in the garbage (not green waste).  

These actions protect against the artificial spread of the infestation to nearby regions where it can affect California's food supply and backyard gardens.

The media statement confirms this eradication approach is the standard Medfly program used by CDFA and is the safest, most effective, and most efficient response program available. CDFA has successfully eradicated every detected Medfly infestation in California's history, dating back more than 40 years.

The pest is known to target more than 250 types of fruits and vegetables. Damage occurs when the female lays eggs inside the fruit. The eggs hatch into maggots, which tunnel through the flesh of the fruit, making it unfit for consumption. Residents who believe their fruits and vegetables are infested with fruit fly larvae are encouraged to call the State's toll-free Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899 or email [email protected].

Residents with questions about the project may call CDFA's Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899. To learn more about invasive species and how to protect California's fruits and vegetables, please visit www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/fruitfly.