Zika Breaking News

The Walgreens Flu Index recently identified the top 10 areas in the United States with influenza activity.

As of December 21, 2024, these unfortunate leaders are located in the southern section of the central U.S.:

1. Birmingham (Anniston and Tuscaloosa), Ala.,
2. Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas,
3. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas,
4. Monroe, La.-El Dorado, Ark.,
5. Huntsville-Decatur (Florence), Ala.,
6. Knoxville, Tenn.,
7. New Orleans, La.,
8. Jackson, Miss.,
9. Nashville, Tenn.
10. Shreveport, La.

Walgreens's Flu Index is compiled using retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza across Walgreens locations nationwide. The Flu Index illustrates which populations are experiencing the highest incidence of flu.

Seperately, the U.S. CDC published Key Updates for Week 51, ending December 21, 2024. 

Nationally, the percentage of influenza positivity, the percentage of emergency department visits for flu, the rate of outpatient visits for respiratory illness, and influenza-associated hospitalizations increased this week compared to last week.

And 5 pediatric deaths associated with seasonal influenza virus infection were reported this week, bringing the 2024-2025 flu season total to nine pediatric deaths. Last flu season, 206 pediatric deaths were related to influenza.

This flu season, there is an ample supply of influenza vaccines at local pharmacies; over 92 million flu shots have been distributed in the U.S., targeting the 2024-2025 flu season.

The Victorian Department of Health recently announced that Australia's surveillance program detected vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) in pre-treated sewage from the Western Treatment Plant in Melbourne.

Melbourne has over 5 million residents and is the host city of the Australian Open 2025, which hundreds of thousands of tennis fans attend.

The poliovirus detection (Advisory number: 241224) on December 2, 2024, is likely linked to an individual who received a live polio vaccine and shed the virus in Victoria. Victoria's Chief Health Officer, Dr. Clare Looker, wrote on December 23, 2024, that Australia remains polio-free, as this wastewater detection is not a wild-type poliovirus case.

However, the U.S. CDC says the detection of poliovirus in wastewater cannot be used to determine the total number of infected persons in a community or the portion of the infected population. The minimum number of infected individuals that can be reliably detected through wastewater testing is not known.

To alert the international community, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed in December 2024 that the spread of the poliovirus remained a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. In 2022, the United States was added to the WHO's list of polio-identified countries. 

Over the past few years, more than 1 billion 'triple-locked' nOPV2 vaccines have been administered to prevent virus mutations.

In the United States, the inactivated polio vaccine is offered.

"Most travelers to Australia don't need many travel vaccines, but with poliovirus detected in sewage in Melbourne, a once-in-a-lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine would be prudent before departure," commented Beverly Schaefer, travel vaccine expert at Katterman's Sand Point Pharmacy, Seattle, WA.

The U.S. CDC suggests that international travelers speak with a travel vaccine expert about Japanese encephalitis, which is mainly a concern in the Murray River and the Outer Torres Strait Islands area. All international travelers should also be vaccinated against measles with the MMR vaccine.

According to Regional Health Agencies (ARS), France has reported the highest number of indigenous (local) dengue cases in 2024 since the implementation of enhanced surveillance in 2006.

As of December 24, 2024, the ARS assessment for this 2024 season shows 11 outbreaks of local dengue transmission totaling 83 cases, mainly occurring in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (Marseille, 1.9 million pop.) and Occitanie.

As of December 17, 2024, 4,694 imported dengue cases had been reported this year, the highest annual number ever. Epidemiological investigations identified imported dengue cases from travelers returning to France from Guyana, Reunion, and Indonesia. 

ARS also reported one Indigenous case of chikungunya for the first time in Ile de France.

Entomological and epidemiological investigations were immediately implemented for each disease outbreak, accompanied by vector control actions.

From a disease prevention perspective, France offers various chikunguna and dengue vaccines.

For travelers departing from the U.S., Valneva SE's IXCHIQ® chikungunya vaccine is offered at numerous travel clinics and pharmacies.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recently confirmed that influenza-like illnesses have increased in the North American subregion. Seasonal influenza (flu) became widespread in many sections of the United States in late December 2024.

According to the PAHO and numerical health agencies, most eligible people should get a flu shot that protects against the viruses causing infection.

The PAHO says there are four types of influenza viruses: A, B, C, and D.

As of December 25, 2024, various U.S. FDA-approved flu shots are available at local pharmacies, helping prevent severe influenza infections caused by these viruses.

The good news is pharmaceutical companies are developing vaccines that provide broad-spectrum protection against these every-mutating viruses.

A study published on December 11, 2024, in the journal MDPI, reported in a Phase 2a, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, OVX836, a nucleoprotein (NP)-based candidate vaccine, previously showed a good safety profile, a robust immune response (both humoral and cellular) and a preliminary signal of protection of 84% against confirmed symptomatic influenza after a single intramuscular dose of 180 µg, 300 µg or 480 µg.

Furthermore, T-cell responses were highly cross-reactive against various influenza A strains, both seasonal and highly pathogenic avian strains.

Last month, Osivax announced its ongoing efforts to prepare this vaccine candidate for marketing.

On November 11, 2024, the first participant was vaccinated in a Phase 2a clinical trial (NCT06582277) evaluating OVX836 as a booster in participants vaccinated three to five years ago in earlier Osivax vaccine studies.

The topline results from this trial are expected by the end of 2025.

“This milestone is a significant step forward in our mission to develop a truly broad-spectrum, lasting flu vaccine capable of addressing the ever-evolving threat of influenza. By studying the effects of a booster dose, we aim to deepen our understanding of OVX836’s potential to provide robust and sustained immune protection,” said Dr. Nicola Groth, CMO of Osivax, in a press release. 

“Osivax is committed to leveraging innovative science to develop vaccines that protect individuals and help reduce the global healthcare burden associated with seasonal flu epidemics and potential pandemics.” 

Osivax is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that aims to develop a pan-respiratory virus vaccine that can prevent all strains of influenza in one shot. The company also intends to expand into other infectious disease indications through combinations and collaborations worldwide.

According to the World Health Organization, the Republic of Yemen, a country with 34 million residents located in southern Arabia, has reported the highest burden of cholera this year.

As of December 2024, Yemen had reported 249,900 suspected cases of cholera, with 861 associated fatalities this year, accounting for 35% of the global cholera burden and 18% of global reported mortality.

"The outbreak of waterborne diseases like cholera and acute watery diarrhea imposes an additional burden on an already stressed health system facing multiple disease outbreaks. The WHO and humanitarian actors are strained in their efforts to address the increasing needs due to severe funding shortages," said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Yemen, Dr Arturo Pesigan, in a media release on December 23, 2024.

Oral cholera vaccination campaigns have protected 3.2 million people in 34 districts of 6 governorates in Yemen.

As of December 18, 2024, the WHO reported that the multi-year cholera vaccine shortage may end.

Cholera vaccines are available in the United States at travel clinics and pharmacies. They are also recommended by the WHO / U.S. CDC for international travelers when visiting cholera outbreak areas.

The CDC also recommends measles, polio, and routine vaccinations before visiting Yemen, 

As of December 23, 2024, the U.S. Department of State maintains a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Yemen that says 'do not travel' to Yemen due to civil unrest.

In the Region of the Americas, the Republic of Haiti has reported active cholera transmission is widespread. The CDC says visitors should avoid unsafe food and water and wash their hands to help prevent cholera. Vaccination may be considered for children and adults traveling to areas of active cholera transmission, such as Port-au-Prince.

The U.S. Department of State updated its travel advisory to Level 3 for the Republic of Vanuatu, a nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of Australia comprising roughly 80 islands.

The advisory was updated due to infrastructure damage from a recent earthquake. Numerous buildings in Vanuatu sustained severe damage, and curfews are in effect in some areas.

On December 20, 204, U.S. citizens were advised to reconsider travel. The government's ability to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in Vanuatu was limited, and departure options were disrupted.

The nearest U.S. Embassy is in Harbour City Road, Konedobu, Port Moresby, NCD, 121, Papua New Guinea.

Regarding departure options, Port Vila's Bauerfield Airport is reopening on December 22, 2024. Therefore, visitors should contact their airlines to confirm travel plans.

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive Alerts and make locating you in an emergency easier.

And from a health perspective, the U'S. U'S writes, 'Ensure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. And some travel vaccines may be needed to protect visitors from chikungunya and dengue. These vaccines are offered at travel clinics and pharmacies in 2024.