Infectious Disease
Outbreaks, surveillance, vaccines, and pathogen monitoring.
South Africa pledges $5 million in Ebola response as outbreak spreads in DRC and Uganda
South Africa has pledged an initial $5 million to Africa CDC for the regional response to the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.
ECDC says it is supporting EU member states on the Andes hantavirus cruise-ship outbreak
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said it is supporting EU member states as the Andes hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius continues to evolve, with 12 reported cases and the ship now in Rotterdam for disinfection.
DuPage County reports first West Nile-positive mosquito batches of 2026
DuPage County health officials said the first mosquito batches of the 2026 season tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting residents to take prevention steps. The county said the positive pools were found in Roselle, Glendale Heights and Wheaton, and no human cases had been reported at the time of the release.
CDC issues Ebola outbreak update for DRC and Uganda
CDC updated its Ebola response on May 18, saying it is expanding screening, traveler monitoring and entry restrictions for arrivals tied to the DRC and Uganda outbreak. WHO has declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern, and Reuters reported one American tested positive after exposure in the DRC.
US moves to curb Ebola risk, says immediate risk to public is low
U.S. health officials have started enhanced screening and other precautions after the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. CDC says the immediate risk to the general public in the United States remains low.
DuPage County reports first mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus for 2026
DuPage County health officials said the first mosquito pools of 2026 to test positive for West Nile virus were found in Roselle, Glendale Heights and Wheaton. No human cases had been reported in the county at the time of the release.
Penobscot County HIV outbreak reaches 43 cases
Penobscot County’s HIV outbreak has reached 43 confirmed cases after two new April diagnoses, according to Maine CDC-linked reporting. Officials say the outbreak began in October 2023 and remains concentrated among people who inject drugs and people who are unhoused.
19 cases of Legionella infection linked to Kaiser Bay Area hospital
Officials and multiple outlets report that 19 Legionella infections are linked to Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center, where additional water treatment measures were taken while investigators look for the source.
MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak reaches Rotterdam as case count rises
The MV Hondius has reached Rotterdam for disinfection after an Andes hantavirus outbreak aboard the cruise ship grew to 12 reported cases, according to ECDC. Canada also reclassified a presumptive-positive passenger as confirmed, while WHO and CDC continue to assess the broader public risk as low.
CDC moves to block Ebola entry after new DRC and Uganda outbreak developments
CDC said it is adding enhanced screening, traveler monitoring and entry restrictions after Ebola Bundibugyo outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda triggered a wider international response.
Hantavirus-stricken cruise ship docks in the Netherlands for disinfection
The MV Hondius arrived in Rotterdam on May 18 for disinfection after a hantavirus outbreak aboard, with Dutch and international health officials saying the ship was routed through a designated quarantine port.
CDC implements Ebola-related travel restrictions into the United States
The CDC said on May 18, 2026 that it implemented enhanced Ebola-related travel screening, entry restrictions for certain recent travelers from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, and other measures to reduce the risk of Ebola entering the U.S.
Emory monitors 2 cruise passengers linked to hantavirus outbreak
Georgia and federal officials are monitoring two cruise passengers linked to the MV Hondius hantavirus outbreak at Emory University in Atlanta, while contact tracing continues and public risk is described as low.
WHO head warns countries to prepare for more hantavirus cases
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that more hantavirus cases may emerge from the MV Hondius outbreak because of the virus’s incubation period. New reporting on May 12 said the cluster has grown to 11 confirmed cases, including three deaths.
KLM flight attendant hospitalized after contact with hantavirus passenger
A KLM flight attendant in Amsterdam has been hospitalized and is being tested after contact with a cruise-ship passenger who later died of hantavirus.
WHO’s response to hantavirus cases linked to a cruise ship
WHO says eight hantavirus cases have now been reported on the MV Hondius, including three deaths, and that it is coordinating an international response as tracing and testing continue.
A suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic Ocean kills 3 people, WHO says
Three people have died in a suspected hantavirus outbreak aboard the MV Hondius in the Atlantic Ocean, according to WHO and the ship operator. One case has been laboratory-confirmed, five more are suspected and authorities are coordinating evacuations and testing.
This simple blood test might detect depression before symptoms appear
NYU researchers reported that a blood-based epigenetic marker was associated with depressive symptoms that are harder to detect clinically, especially non-somatic symptoms.
WHO highlights biomanufacturing centers, trachoma milestone and health emergencies in April 29 briefing
WHO’s April 29 briefing announced new biomanufacturing training centres, marked Australia’s trachoma elimination milestone and highlighted ongoing health emergencies.
Australia becomes the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
WHO has validated Australia for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem, making it the 30th country to reach the milestone.
South Carolina's measles outbreak is over after sickening nearly 1,000 people
South Carolina health officials declared the state's Upstate measles outbreak over after 997 cases and 42 days without a new outbreak-related case.
World Immunization Week 2026: WHO calls for every generation to be protected in Yemen
WHO Yemen marked World Immunization Week 2026 with a call to strengthen routine immunization in Yemen, citing ongoing measles and polio risks and new outreach efforts.
Sindh Mpox Cases Rise to 25 After Two New Infections
Sindh health authorities confirmed two more mpox infections, lifting the provincial total to 25 and prompting tighter public health measures.
Hackensack Meridian Health joins Pfizer clinical trial for C. diff vaccine
Hackensack Meridian Health said it will host two Pfizer trial sites for the BEETHOVEN study of an investigational C. diff vaccine.