Vaccine News

In the Region of the Americas, 2024 has been marked as the worst year ever for dengue virus infections, 12.8 million, and related fatalities, 7,855.

From a country perspective, the United States has experienced a significant impact, with dengue cases increasing by approximately 43%. According to the U.S. CDC, 8,863 dengue cases were reported as of mid-December 2024, compared to 6,164 cases in 2023.

Within the U.S., the Florida Department of Health recently reported some unsettling news.

As of late December 2024, 911 travel-associated dengue cases had been reported, mainly by visitors to Brazil (61), Cuba (506), and Puerto Rico (41). Additionally, 85 locally acquired dengue cases were reported from ten counties, led by Miami-Dade (47).

In 2023, 609 travel-associated dengue cases were reported, and 186 humans contracted dengue while in Florida.

With international travel expected to increase in 2025, this CDC data suggests that more international visitors may unintentionally introduce one of the four dengue viruses in Florida next year.

Furthermore, since mosquitoes transmit dengue, locally acquired infections will likely increase next year.

From a disease prevention perspective, there is hope that access to dengue vaccines may improve in 2025 as approved vaccines increase production and vaccine candidates seek approvals.

As 2024 draws to a close, the World Health Organization (WHO) published an in-depth update on malaria burden and trends at global, regional, and country levels. As of December 19, 2024, the WHO reported malaria outbreaks remain a formidable public health challenge.

In 2023 alone, there were an estimated 597,000 malaria-related fatalities and 263 million new cases, an increase of 11 million cases over 2022.

The WHO wrote, 'Given current trends, progress towards critical targets of the WHO global malaria strategy is off track.'

As the WHO Director-General stated: "No one should die of malaria.... An expanded package of lifesaving tools now offers better protection against the disease, but stepped-up investments and action in high-burden African countries are needed to curb the threat."

The WHO African Region continues to be most impacted, accounting for an estimated 94% of global cases, led by Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

When visiting these countries, the WHO recommends international travelers speak with a travel vaccine expert one month before departure. In November 2024, the WHO published a revised version of the consolidated Guidelines for malaria with an updated vaccine recommendation.

While malaria vaccines are available in Africa, they are unavailable in the USA in 2024.

In the U.S., most malaria cases are travel-related.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that as of the week ending November 23, 2024 (#47), 1,772 malaria cases had been confirmed in 2024, mostly among international travelers arriving in New York City (232), Texas, Miami, Florida, and Los Angeles, California. In 2023, there were 2,013 travel-related malaria cases in the U.S. 

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today announced active person-to-person transmission of mpox clade 1 in Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda.

As of December 30, 2024, the CDC's Level 2 Travel Health Advisory says person-to-person transmission has occurred through various means during this mpox outbreak. Historically, clade I have been associated with a higher percentage of people with mpox developing severe illness or dying, compared to clade II. 

The mpox clade II outbreak began in the United States in late May 2022.

As of November 2024, there have been 2,455 confirmed clade II mpox cases this year, which has exceeded the 1,407 confirmed cases in 2023.

Furthermore, the CDC says mpox vaccination is recommended for certain people traveling to countries with ongoing person-to-person transmission of clade I mpox.

In the U.S., the JYNNEOS® (MVA-BN, IMVANEX®, IMVAMUNE®) Smallpox and Mpox Vaccine has been approved by the U.S. FDA since September 2019. Other mpox vaccines and vaccine candidates are actively seeking regulatory approvals in 2025.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) recently reported a resident of northern Kentucky has died after being infected with the rabies virus.

As of December 28, 2024, KDPH stated transmission of the rabies virus from person to person is rare. In 1999, skunks accounted for 21 of Kentucky's 35 confirmed rabies cases. 

State Public Health Veterinarian Kelly Giesbrecht, DVM, MPH, is the primary consultant in Kentucky for Rabies and other zoonotic diseases.

Rabies is an infectious viral disease that affects the nervous system and kills about 70,000 people worldwide each year.

. People get Rabies from the bite of an infected or rabid animal. Wild mammals like raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, or bats can have and transmit Rabies.

According to the U.S. CDC, bats, not dogs, are the leading source of rabies infection in the United States.

In late November 2024, the Fresno County Department of Public Health announced a rabies death involving a county resident who was suspected to have been bitten by a bat in Merced County, located east of San Jose.

Furthermore, Rabies is a vaccine-preventable disease, with various U.S. FDA-approved vaccines available in 2024.

According to data from the California Department of Public Health, the number of Valley fever cases will set new records in 2024.

As of the end of November, 11,076 valley fever cases had been confirmed statewide, a 20% increase compared to 2023.

Kern County is California's hot spot for the disease again, accounting for 3,768 reported cases.

Home to the city of Bakersfield, Kern County spans the southern end of the Central Valley and is home to less than 1 million people.

Other impacted counties include Los Angeles, Riverside, Fresno, Kings, Merced, San Francisco, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Stanislaus.

Historically, Valley fever has also spread in the states of Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico.

According to the U.S. CDC, Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, is a lung infection caused by a fungus found in soil. Usually, people who get sick with Valley fever get better independently, but some people will need antifungal medication.

As of December 28, 2024, scientists continue working on a preventive vaccine, but the CDC has not recommended a Valley fever vaccine.

The World Health Organization (WHO) today published an updated Disease Outbreak News regarding an undiagnosed disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which was published on December 8, 2024.

As of December 27, 2024, the WHO identified this condition as an acute respiratory infection complicated by malaria.

Recent laboratory results from 430 samples indicated positive results for malaria and several common respiratory viruses, including Influenza A (H1N1, pdm09), rhinoviruses, human coronaviruses, parainfluenza viruses, and human adenoviruses.

These findings suggest a combination of common and seasonal viral respiratory infections and falciparum malaria, compounded by acute malnutrition, which has led to a rise in severe infections and deaths, disproportionately affecting young children.

This led to a significant increase in reported cases, with 891 cases documented as of December 16. However, the number of deaths reported weekly (48 deaths during this period) has remained relatively stable.

The DRC's health ministry had reported a fatality rate of 6.2%. Young children represent 64.3% of all reported cases.

The WHO wrote that this event highlights the significant burden of common infectious diseases, such as acute respiratory infections and malaria, particularly in vulnerable populations.

Additionally, the WHO recommends the programmatic use of malaria vaccines for children living in malaria-endemic areas.

The WHO and the European Medicines Agency recommend Mosquirix™ (RTS,S/AS01) and R21 / Matrix-M™ vaccines for travelers visiting malaria-endemic countries.

As of December 27, 2024, seventeen African countries are deploying malaria vaccines unavailable in the U.S.

The U.S. Department of State recently reaffirmed its Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution for the Kingdom of Spain.

On December 23, 2024, the State Department stated visitors to Spain should exercise increased due to civil unrest. Furthermore, demonstrations are common and may occur in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.

International travelers visiting Spain should enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive digital alerts, which makes locating you in an emergency easier.

When in Spain, U.S. citizens can visit the U.S. Embassy at Calle Serrano, 75, 28006 Madrid.

From a health perspective, the U.S. CDC and the UK say visitors should check the list of vaccines and medicines needed at least a month before visiting Spain. For example, the ECDC reported locally acquired dengue cases in Spain in 2024.

Dengue is an Aedes-borne disease established in Spain's Catalonia region. 

Colin Johnston, Senior Medical Entomologist at UKHSA, informed local media, "The increasing number of dengue (8) and malaria cases that we are seeing now in the UK are travel-related."

As of December 25, 2024, Dengue is a vaccine-preventable disease.