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 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.
An interdisciplinary team led by Leipzig University has identified a possible 14th-century mass grave near Erfurt, Germany, believed to contain victims of the Black Death. Historical records from 1350 indicate approximately 12,000 plague victims were buried in 11 pits outside the city, and this discovery marks the first systematically identified site of its kind in Europe.
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.
A significant outbreak of the New World Screwworm (*Cochliomyia hominivorax*) is rapidly spreading across Central America and Mexico, affecting livestock, wildlife, and humans. With over 138,000 animal cases and 1,000 human cases reported as of December 2025, health agencies and agricultural authorities are escalating efforts, including sterile insect releases and import restrictions, to contain the parasitic fly's northward advance.
Spain is experiencing a rapid and early acceleration of flu cases, with the national incidence rate doubling in a single week to 164.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. This surge has already surpassed previous winter peaks, placing significant strain on healthcare services and prompting regional authorities to reintroduce mask mandates in some areas. Young children are particularly affected.
Norway is experiencing a significant increase in influenza activity, with hospital admissions rising from 289 to 438 in a single week. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health reports a dominant Influenza A (H3N2) virus, particularly affecting schoolchildren, and urges preparedness for further increases.
Iran is experiencing a severe H3N2 influenza outbreak, with over 100 deaths reported since mid-November. The fast-spreading virus is straining hospitals nationwide, particularly affecting unvaccinated individuals, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions. School closures have been implemented in several provinces, and health officials warn of the flu's unusual transmissibility and reduced vaccine effectiveness, exacerbated by severe air pollution.
Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, has called for individuals with flu or cold symptoms to wear masks in public places, including transport, as the UK faces a 'very nasty strain of flu' and record hospitalisations. Downing Street advises mask-wearing as a consideration, while emphasizing flu vaccination.
A prominent NHS leader has called on individuals experiencing flu or cold symptoms in the UK to wear masks in public spaces, including public transport. This recommendation comes as the nation faces a 'tidal wave' of a 'very nasty strain of flu,' leading to record hospital admissions for this time of year.
The U.K. Health Security Agency has detected a new recombinant mpox virus in England in an individual who recently travelled to Asia. This new strain combines genetic material from both clade 1b and clade 2b, highlighting the virus's ongoing evolution and prompting calls for continued vigilance and vaccination among eligible groups.
In March 2020, Germany enacted stringent border controls with France, Austria, and Switzerland, among other nations, to curb the rapid spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures, effective March 16, aimed to restrict non-essential travel while allowing critical goods and commuters to cross.
Malawi has been approved for a US$25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund to bolster its pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities. The funding, part of the Fund's 3rd Call for Proposals, will support a One Health Approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
French Polynesia's dengue epidemic, which began in November 2023 and saw over 2,500 cases, has been officially declared over by the ARASS. The declaration follows two consecutive weeks of case numbers remaining below established epidemic thresholds, marking a significant public health milestone for the territory.
Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has issued a nationwide influenza alert after weekly cases surged to 57,424, averaging 14.90 per medical institution. This figure more than doubled from the previous week and surpassed the alert level of 10, indicating a potential major outbreak. School closures have been reported across the country.
Austria will be classified as a 'high-risk area' for avian influenza (H5N1) starting November 3, 2025. This follows significant outbreaks in Germany and confirmed cases in Austrian provinces including Carinthia, Lower Austria, and Upper Austria, prompting new biosecurity measures.
Germany is grappling with a rapidly escalating bird flu outbreak, primarily involving the H5N1 subtype, impacting both wild bird populations and commercial poultry farms. German Agriculture Minister Alois Rainer has confirmed a 'very rapid increase in infections' over the past two weeks. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut has elevated risk assessments, with over 1,000 cranes found dead and tens of thousands of poultry culled across multiple federal states in an effort to contain the virus.
A recent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a poultry farm in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, has necessitated the culling of approximately 15,000 birds. Authorities have implemented strict containment measures to prevent further spread of the H5N1 virus.
