Mpox and Oropouche outbreaks
Multi-country outbreaks of mpox clade I and Oropouche are ongoing. Keep up to date with these links if you are travelling to affected areas.
Lunar New Year 2025: Travel advice
Celebrating the Lunar New Year abroad? Lunar New Year is a public holiday, with festivities taking place over several days in many countries worldwide; planning ahead helps you have a safe and enjoyable trip
Mosquito and insect spread infections in the Caribbean
An increase in cases of mosquito and insect spread infections have been reported in the Caribbean region
Marburg virus disease in Rwanda
On 20 December 2024, the Rwanda Ministry of Health declared the outbreak of Marburg virus disease over
Mpox outbreak in Africa: clade I mpox virus infection
Mpox outbreak continues to meet the WHO criteria of a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC)
Oropouche virus disease: information for travellers and health professionals
Information on risks and prevention measures for travellers and health professionals
Changes to country yellow fever certificate requirements
Important reminder to look out for updates to country yellow fever certificate requirements
Polio: Public Health Emergency of International Concern
An update on the polio Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC)
Methanol poisoning and local herbal brews during travel
Stay safe while enjoying drinks overseas by following our travel health advice
UK malaria cases in returned travellers and updated guidelines
UK Health Security Agency publish malaria 2023 and 2024 (provisional) UK case numbers and updated malaria guidelines for malaria prevention in travellers from the UK
UKHSA publishes travel-associated infections report
Case numbers of selected travel-associated infections reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from January to June 2024
Cholera in South Sudan
As of 21 December 2024, 4,793 suspected and confirmed cases of cholera, including 47 deaths, have been reported. There has been a 147% increase in case numbers over the previous four week period. Six out of ten states have been affected. Severe flooding and mass displacement of people have worsened the situation. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on cholera.
Mpox in Uganda
As of 29 December 2024, the World Health Organization has recorded 1,303 confirmed mpox cases and six deaths in Uganda in 2024. This is an increase of 177 cases from the last report on 20 December 2024. The clade type reported in Uganda is clade Ib. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on mpox.
Mpox in Zambia
On 30 December 2024, a third mpox case was confirmed by the Zambia Ministry of Health. Clade type was not reported. Zambia's first mpox case during November 2024 was clade typed to be clade Ib. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on mpox.
Victoria
Japanese encephalitis in Australia
As of 30 December 2024, a probable Japanese encephalitis case has been identified in a resident of northern Victoria. The virus has also been detected by environmental surveillance along the Murray River, and in mosquitoes and wild pigs in New South Wales. This indicates Japanese encephalitis is likely to be circulating in northern Victoria. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Japanese encephalitis.
Mpox in Oman (ex UAE)
As of 15 December 2024, the Sultanate of Oman had reported its first recorded case of mpox due to clade I. The case is an adult male residing in Oman who reported travelling from the United Arab Emirates. Information on subclade is not yet available. No case of mpox due to clade Ib has been reported by United Arab Emirates so far. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on mpox.
Mpox in Pakistan (ex UAE)
The first case of clade Ib mpox previously reported to the WHO on 2 December 2024 is an adult male who had been residing in the United Arab Emirates. No case of mpox due to clade Ib has been reported by the United Arab Emirates so far. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on mpox.
Polio in Israel
As of 25 December 2024, a case of polio has been reported in an unvaccinated 17 year old in Jerusalem. No further details are available of the strain involved. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
VDPV2 in Australia
As of 23 December 2024, vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (VDPV2) was identified in routine wastewater sampling in the Melbourne metropolitan area. This is likley to be link to someone who received a live polio vaccine overseas. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on polio.
Influenza A(H5N1) in USA
During 2024, 66 human cases of H5N1 avian influenza have been detected across 10 US states. 63 cases were exposed during commericial agriculture and linked to outbreaks in dairy herds and poultry. California, Colorado and Washington states have reported the majority of cases. The risk to the general public and travellers remains low. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on avian influenza.
Oropouche virus disease in Brazil
As of 15 December 2024, a total of 11,695 cases of Oropouche virus disease (OROV) have been reported in Brazil. Cases have been reported in 22 states with Amazonas and Espirito Santo most severely affected. Four deaths associated with OROV have been reported, with four more under investigation. Please see our Topics in Brief article for further details on Oropouche virus disease.
