Health authorities in Mexico are grappling with a persistent measles outbreak that began in February 2025. The nation has reported over 7,400 confirmed cases and 26 deaths. A 13-month-old infant in Tlaxcala became the second child to die from measles complications in 2026, highlighting concerns over vaccination coverage and the potential loss of Mexico's measles-free status.
Los Angeles County Public Health is investigating a second confirmed measles case at LAX, linked to an international traveler. Potential exposure occurred at Tom Bradley International Terminal B on January 26-27, 2026, and a Woodland Hills Dunkin' Donuts on January 30, 2026. Officials urge vaccination and symptom monitoring.
South Carolina is grappling with the largest U.S. measles outbreak since 2000, with over 840 cases primarily in Spartanburg County. The surge, largely affecting unvaccinated individuals, fuels fears of the disease regaining a national foothold.
The United Kingdom has confirmed the detection of circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) in wastewater samples as of January 28, 2026, identified through routine surveillance by the UK Health Security Agency. This development has led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for the UK, advising enhanced precautions for travelers.
The head of a mental health facility in Prokopyevsk, Kemerovo Region, Russia, has been placed on temporary leave following the deaths of nine patients due to a viral infection outbreak, likely influenza A. Sixty-two other patients were hospitalized, prompting a regional investigation and inspections across all 13 mental health hospitals in the area.
The Tokyo metropolitan government has reissued an influenza advisory on January 29, 2026, marking the first time in 17 years such a measure has been taken after a previous warning was lifted within the same flu season. The advisory follows over 6,000 suspected outbreaks in schools and facilities, with patient numbers exceeding the advisory threshold.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has returned with significant intensity in the United States in early 2026, resulting in the culling of over 1.1 million birds across multiple states this month. The H5N1 virus, linked to wild bird migration, poses an ongoing challenge to the poultry industry.
South Korea has reported its fourth African Swine Fever (ASF) case of 2026 in Yeonggwang County, prompting a nationwide 48-hour standstill order and intensified quarantine efforts to curb the spread of the highly contagious pig disease.
Western Australia Health has issued a measles alert after the state's first case of 2026 was identified in a returned traveller from Bali. Five public exposure sites in Perth have been listed, and the public is urged to check vaccination status and monitor for symptoms. Measles is highly contagious and can lead to serious complications.
Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service confirmed the year's first African swine fever outbreak at the 'Vaiņodes bekons' pig farm in the South Kurzeme region, affecting over 22,000 pigs. A quarantine zone has been established, with strict movement restrictions and intensified biosecurity checks to prevent further spread.
Brazil has commenced a single-dose dengue vaccination campaign in select cities within Ceará and Minas Gerais states, utilizing the nationally developed Butantan-DV vaccine. The immunization, targeting individuals aged 15 to 59, began on January 17, 2026, following its approval by Anvisa in late 2025.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has confirmed the effectiveness of the 2025/26 seasonal flu vaccination, despite the emergence of a drifted A(H3N2) subclade K virus. Preliminary data from the EU/EEA indicate vaccine effectiveness against A(H3N2) infection, with Germany ensuring ample vaccine supply.
Germany's Health Minister Nina Warken has sharply refuted claims by US health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that German doctors face prosecution for issuing Covid-19 vaccine and mask exemptions. Warken stated the accusations are 'factually incorrect' and that legal action only targets fraud.
A new study published in The Lancet reveals that most COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in England was rooted in addressable concerns, with 65% of initially hesitant participants eventually receiving at least one vaccine dose. The research, from Imperial College London, analyzed over 1.1 million people.
A new analysis by Barcelona's Institute for Biomedical Research has provisionally concluded that the African Swine Fever virus found in wild boars in Catalonia, Spain, does not match strains used in a nearby laboratory, ruling out a lab leak as the source of the outbreak. The wild boar strain exhibits significant genetic differences.
The CDC has updated the U.S. childhood immunization schedule, reducing routine vaccinations from 17 to 11 diseases. This change, effective immediately, aligns the U.S. with international consensus and emphasizes transparency and informed consent, following a December 2025 presidential directive.
Australian scientists have identified a fast-spreading influenza A (H3N2) subclade K, dubbed 'Super-K,' which emerged during the country's record-breaking 2025 flu season. This mutated strain, first detected in August 2025, has since spread to over 30 countries, contributing to severe global outbreaks and prompting concerns about vaccine alignment.
For the first time in the 2025/2026 respiratory infection season, influenza has become the leading cause of respiratory hospitalizations in Hungary, surpassing COVID-19. Data from the 51st week of 2025 shows 167 severe acute respiratory infection hospitalizations, with influenza accounting for 32.3% and COVID-19 for 9.0%.
The United States has pledged $480 million in health funding to Ivory Coast as part of its 'America First' global health agreements. Signed in Abidjan, the deal focuses on critical areas like HIV, malaria, and maternal health, emphasizing shared responsibility with Ivory Coast contributing $292 million. This marks a shift from traditional aid models.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) has been confirmed in a commercial poultry flock near Alvechurch, Worcestershire. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone are now in effect, and all birds on the affected premises will be humanely culled to prevent further spread.
