Zika Breaking News

With South Carolina's measles outbreak now under control and no new cases reported recently, Utah has become the state with the highest active transmission of the disease in the country.

As of April 10, 2026, state health officials have confirmed 24 new cases in the past five days, bringing Utah's total outbreak count to 583.

Of these, 386 cases have been recorded this year, including 121 in the last three weeks alone. So far, 47 people have been hospitalized due to the outbreak.

The Southwest Health Area accounts for the largest share of cases, with 249 reported.

In the urban areas, Utah County follows with 93 cases, and Salt Lake County has reported 62 cases.

Local health authorities are reminding residents that measles is extremely contagious and can lead to serious complications, particularly among young children, pregnant individuals, and those with weakened immune systems.

While most of these measles cases have been reported in unvaccinated people, MMR vaccination coverage among Utah kindergartners was about 88% during the 2024–2025 school year.

Utah continues to urge families to ensure that they are up to date on the MMR vaccine, which remains the most effective way to prevent the spread of this disease.

With Lyme disease season soon to spike in the Northeast, two pharmaceutical companies recently announced very positive news about a vaccine candidate.

Pfizer Inc. and Valneva SE announced on March 23, 2026, topline results from the Phase 3 VALOR "Vaccine Against Lyme for Outdoor Recreationists" clinical trial (NCT05477524) of its investigational 6-valent OspA-based Lyme disease vaccine candidate PF-07307405 (LB6V, formerly known as VLA15).

In the pre-specified analyses: Efficacy of 73.2% from 28 days post-dose 4 (season 2) in reducing the rate of confirmed Lyme disease cases compared to the placebo arm (95% CI 15.8, 93.5); Efficacy of 74.8% from 1-day post-dose 4 (season 2) in reducing the rate of confirmed Lyme disease cases compared to the placebo arm (95% CI 21.7, 93.9)

The press release stated, 'Given the clinically meaningful efficacy and the fact that the 95% confidence interval lower bound was above 20 in the second pre-specified analysis, Pfizer is confident in the vaccine's potential and is planning submissions to regulatory authorities.'

"Lyme disease can cause potentially serious consequences – where individuals and families face symptoms that can disrupt daily life, work, and long-term health – and there is currently no vaccine available," said Annaliesa Anderson, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Vaccines Officer, Pfizer. "The efficacy shown in the VALOR study of more than 70% is highly encouraging and creates confidence in the vaccine's potential to protect against this disease that can be debilitating."

As of late March 2026, the U.S. CDC reports that the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are transmitted to humans by blacklegged (Ixodes) ticks. Infected ticks must be attached for over 24 hours to transmit the infection, so that prompt removal can prevent transmission. These ticks are most commonly found in forested areas of the northeastern, north-central, and mid-Atlantic states, as well as parts of the Pacific Coast.

The CDC reports that recent estimates using other methods suggest that approximately 476,000 people may be diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease each year in the United States. This number likely includes patients who are treated based on clinical suspicion but do not actually have Lyme disease.

Since September 2022, over 1,000 confirmed and possible cases of shigellosis and other gastrointestinal infections have been reported among travelers returning from the Republic of Cabo Verde to Europe, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 

New cases continue to emerge in late March 2026, more than three years into the outbreak.

This information comes from the latest update by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In an epidemiological alert published on March 18, 2026, the ECDC reported a total of 766 confirmed and suspected cases of shigellosis across 13 EU/EEA countries, the UK, and the US.

Additionally, around 300 cases of other gastrointestinal infections — including salmonellosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, campylobacteriosis, and pathogenic Escherichia coli — have also been identified.

Despite ongoing investigations by local, European, and international health authorities, the exact source of these infections, which are believed to be food- or waterborne, has not yet been identified. Most of the affected travelers had stayed at the same hotel chain in the Santa Maria region on the island of Sal, a popular all-inclusive resort destination.

Cabo Verde is an archipelago of islands and islets located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 385 miles off the coast of West Africa.

As of March 24, 2026, the United Kingdom has reported 263 cases, while the United States has reported 7 cases.

The ECDC assesses the likelihood of new infections among travelers visiting the Santa Maria region of Sal as moderate, as the source remains uncontrolled. The dominant strain identified is Shigella sonnei, which causes severe diarrhea (often bloody), fever, abdominal cramps, and dehydration. Some strains exhibit antibiotic resistance, complicating treatment.

Further cases are anticipated until effective control measures are put in place.

Travelers returning from Sal who experience persistent diarrhea, bloody stools, fever, or severe stomach cramps should seek medical attention immediately and inform their healthcare provider about their recent travel history.

Currently, no licensed vaccine is available for shigellosis or the other pathogens involved in this outbreak. However, promising candidates such as Valneva and LimmaTech's tetravalent Shigella4V2 (S4V2) bioconjugate vaccine candidate are advancing through Phase 2 clinical trials.

Campania health authorities in Italy have confirmed a significant increase in hepatitis A cases, with 133 confirmed infections reported since January 2026.

As of March 20, 2026, the outbreak, which is centered around Naples and Capri, is primarily linked to the consumption of raw or undercooked bivalve mollusks, such as mussels, clams, and oysters that have been contaminated with the hepatitis A virus.

Additionally, there is evidence suggesting possible secondary person-to-person transmission contributing to this year's outbreak.

Currently, more than 40 to 50 patients are hospitalized at Naples' Cotugno Hospital.

In response to the outbreak, local media reported Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi issued an emergency ordinance on March 19-20, banning the sale and consumption of raw seafood in public establishments.

Residents and tourists are urged to thoroughly cook shellfish, practice strict hand hygiene, and avoid raw seafood. Campania, located on Italy's southern coast, is a major tourism hub, attracting approximately 20 million tourists annually.

This situation highlights the recurring food safety challenges faced by international travelers in 2026.

Public health officials recommend vaccination for at-risk groups and emphasize the need for continued vigilance to prevent further spread of the virus.

When departing from the USA for international travel in 2026, hepatitis A vaccination services are offered at travel vaccine clinics.

Mexico's Ministry of Health recently reported a significant increase in measles cases in 2026, with more than 7,400 confirmed infections recorded since the beginning of the year.

According to the epidemiological update on March 19, 2026, Mexico has reported 7,403 confirmed measles cases this year alone.

This rise in cases marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing outbreak that began in 2025. When including cases from late 2025, the cumulative total since the outbreak started exceeds 13,855 confirmed measles cases and 32 related fatalities across all 32 states and 437 municipalities.

The state most affected by the outbreak, Jalisco, a western Mexican state, has recorded 4,358 confirmed cases, accounting for the majority of this year's infections.

In response to the outbreak, health authorities have intensified vaccination efforts. From early 2025 through mid-February 2026, over 13.3 million doses of the measles vaccine have been administered nationwide.

Throughout Mexico, vaccination campaigns are ongoing, particularly in high-risk areas with low vaccination coverage, to help curb further spread.

As of March 20, 2026, Mexican officials are urging the public to ensure their vaccinations are up to date, particularly for children and travelers. This recommendation comes as the country prepares for large-scale events in the coming years.

To inform travelers about this ongoing health risk when departing from the United States, the CDC has issued a Level 1 - Practice Usual Precautions, Global Measles Travel Health Notice for Mexico.

In the U.S., measles vaccination services are offered at most travel vaccine clinics and pharmacies.

As the spring season of 2026 transitions into summer vacation planning, Belize is poised to welcome an influx of American visitors, thanks to its dry-season sunshine.

Known for its world-famous Barrier Reef, this Central American country is an ideal destination for snorkelers, divers, and adventure seekers alike.

Belize's tourism sector continues to recover strongly following the pandemic. In 2025, overnight arrivals totaled approximately 551,698, with Americans accounting for about 65-67%—around 372,300 visitors.

However, health officials are advising travelers to take precautions against mosquito-borne illnesses before boarding an airplane, as their activity has varied in recent years. Belize is currently monitoring four key mosquito-borne illnesses: dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and malaria.

Dengue: This is the most common health threat, with official reports showing roughly 232 cases as of March 2026 and 2,794 in 2025. Localized spikes in cases have occurred, particularly in the Belize District. 

Chikungunya: No cases were reported in 2026 and 2025; however, 36 confirmed cases were reported nationwide in 2024.

Zika: There were 31 confirmed cases in Belize in 2024.

Malaria: Belize has maintained malaria-free certification from the World Health Organization since June 2023. Only sporadic imported cases were reported in 2025-2026, with no sustained local transmission.

Additionally, cases of New World screwworm myiasis have been reported in countries where it had previously been eliminated, including Belize.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides clear guidance for travelers to Belize. No vaccines are required for entry, but routine and travel vaccinations are strongly recommended.

With record levels of U.S. tourism on the horizon and proactive health measures in place, millions of Americans can enjoy safe, memorable trips to Belize. Always check the latest CDC Travelers' Health page for the latest Belize news and consult a travel vaccine provider before departure.

Separately, the U.S. Department of State says, "Visiting Belize: Exercise increased caution in some areas, such as the Southside of Belize City."

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has reported a significant increase in travel-related cases of chikungunya virus disease among individuals returning from the Republic of the Seychelles, indicating an ongoing outbreak in this popular Indian Ocean destination.

Since November 2025 and as of March 13, 2026, over 110 travel-related cases have been documented across 13 EU/EEA countries among travelers returning from the Seychelles.

According to the ECDC report, this marks a notable rise compared to earlier months in 2025, with no cases linked to the Seychelles reported in previous years.

Local health authorities in the Seychelles have indicated that chikungunya is now more prevalent than other circulating arboviruses such as dengue or malaria.

Chikungunya is a viral illness primarily transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, leading to symptoms such as high fever, severe joint pain, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. Although deaths from chikungunya are rare, the disease can cause debilitating long-term joint issues for some patients, and there is no person-to-person transmission, says the ECDC.

The Seychelles, a tropical island nation in the Indian Ocean located east of Africa, welcomed approximately 350,000 visitors last year.

Currently, the U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 1 travel advisory for the Seychelles for 2026.

The emergence of chikungunya in the Seychelles aligns with a broader regional spread throughout the Indian Ocean, particularly following a major outbreak in the French overseas department of Réunion in 2025.

In response to these concerns, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice — "Practice Enhanced Precautions" — for chikungunya in the Seychelles on February 5, 2026.

The CDC confirms an active outbreak in the country and emphasizes that protecting against mosquito bites is the primary line of defense. Additionally, if you are pregnant, reconsider travel to the affected areas, particularly if you are close to delivering your baby. 

In the United States, Florida continues to report chikungunya cases.

This year, 21 cases of travel-related chikungunya fever have been reported among persons who traveled internationally. In 2025, 328 travel-related chikungunya cases, most from people who had visited Cuba.

While no specific antiviral treatment is available for chikungunya, supportive care can help manage symptoms, and approved vaccines became available in 2026.

International travelers are advised to consult healthcare providers or travel vaccine clinics before departure for personalized advice, including vaccination eligibility.