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By Phil Richards from London, UK - 04.11.14 București Nord 76.2406, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=37108856
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Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_stock_of_the_Romanian_Railways
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Ann Intern Med
I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Antiviral Res
I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia / Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo / Kampala, Uganda, 15 May 2026 — The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is closely monitoring the confirmed Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the imported Ebola Bundibugyo case reported by the Uganda Ministry of Health.
Africa CDC is working with national authorities and partners to support a rapid, coordinated regional response aimed at interrupting transmission, protecting communities and reducing the risk of cross-border spread.
Following consultations with the DRC Ministry of Health and national public health institutions, preliminary laboratory results from the Institut National de Recherche Biomedicale (INRB) detected Ebola virus in 13 of 20 samples tested with the Bundibugyo Virus.
As of the latest update from DRC, approximately 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths have been reported, mainly in Mongwalu and Rwampara health zones.
Four deaths have been reported among laboratory-confirmed cases.
Suspected cases have also been reported in Bunia and are pending confirmation.
These figures remain provisional and are being validated through laboratory confirmation, line-list harmonization, contact identification and epidemiological investigation.
In a statement issued on 15 May 2026, Uganda’s Ministry of Health reported a confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease case in a 59-year-old Congolese male who was admitted to Kibuli Muslim Hospital on 11 May 2026 and died on 14 May 2026.
Uganda has reported the case as imported from DRC and has indicated that no local case has yet been confirmed.
Africa CDC is supporting coordination to align laboratory information, contact management and cross-border risk assessment across affected and at-risk settings.
The confirmation of an imported case reported by Uganda underscores the importance of rapid regional coordination.
Africa CDC remains concerned by the urban context of Bunia and Rwampara, with insecurity intense population movement, mining-related mobility in Mongwalu, gaps in contact listing, infection prevention and control challenges, and the proximity of affected areas to Uganda and South Sudan.
Due to the cabinet meeting in DRC to discuss this outbreak, Africa CDC agreed to postpone the meeting that was planned and convene this urgent high-level regional coordination meeting today 16 May 2026 with health authorities from DRC, Uganda and South Sudan, together with the WHO, UNICEF, the Pandemic Fund, African Medicines Agency (AMA), U.S. CDC and other response partners.
The meeting will focus on immediate response priorities, cross-border surveillance and alert management, laboratory support and sequencing, infection prevention and control, case management, risk communication and community engagement, safe and dignified burials, contact management, logistics and resource mobilization.
“Africa CDC stands in solidarity with the Governments and people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as they respond to this outbreak,” said H.E. Dr Jean Kaseya, Director General of Africa CDC.
“The situation requires speed, scientific rigour and regional solidarity. We are working with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan and partners to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response, and to help contain transmission as quickly as possible.”
To respond in a more coherent and holistic way to this regional outbreak, Africa CDC took the following immediate actions:
° Activate the Incident management Support Team (IMST) including all partners as the regional coordinating mechanism for the 3 countries and approve a 72-hour Incident Action Plan covering DRC and Uganda responses and South Sudan preparedness.
° Deploy multidisciplinary surge teams to support DRC and Uganda where the disease is cleared, with parallel readiness support for neighboring countries.
° Establish a medical countermeasures workstream to assess diagnostics, PPE, therapeutics, vaccines and cold chain needs, pending final sequencing.
° Mandate the Science, Innovation and R&D team, to coordinate sequencing follow-up, evidence review, product options, research protocols and partner engagement.
° Convene the regional partner coordination meeting on 16 May at 3pm Geneva time with DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, WHO, AMA and key technical and financing partners,
° Hold an evening press briefing on 16 May at 6pm Geneva time to brief the media on this outbreak
° Escalate political engagement through President Ramaphosa as the AU PPPR Champion, the AU Commission Chairperson and AU Bureau to secure high-level support for access and coordination.
Africa CDC urges communities in affected and at-risk areas to follow guidance from national health authorities, report symptoms promptly, avoid direct physical contact with suspected cases, avoid contact with body fluids or contaminated materials, maintain hand hygiene, and support response teams working to protect communities.
Health facilities and health workers should maintain a high index of suspicion, apply infection prevention and control measures, and immediately report suspected cases through national reporting channels.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe and often fatal illness. It spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons, contaminated materials, or the bodies of persons who have died from the disease. Early detection, prompt isolation and care, contact tracing, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and safe and dignified burials are critical to stopping transmission.
Africa CDC will continue to provide updates as additional information becomes available, including sequencing results, updates from national health authorities and outcomes of the regional coordination meeting.
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About Africa CDC
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) is the public health agency of the African Union. As an autonomous institution, Africa CDC supports AU Member States to strengthen health systems, improve disease surveillance, and enhance emergency preparedness and response. For more information, visit: http://www.africacdc.org and follow Africa CDC on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and YouTube.
Media Contact: Wilson Johwa, Senior Communications Officer, Directorate of Communication & Public Information | JohwaW@africacdc.org
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Influenza neuraminidase (NA) is a promising target for universal flu vaccines, yet eliciting potent B-cell responses against its conserved epitopes remains challenging. Here, we developed a membrane-anchored, folding-domain-free NA (mNA) that elicited superior head-specific germinal center B cell and antibody responses compared to soluble tetrameric NA. In non-human primates, mNA immunization induced cross-reactive memory B cell (MBC) responses, expanding clones with the conserved DR motif in HCDR3, a hallmark of human broadly reactive NA antibodies. These MBCs conferred cross-inhibitory activity against diverse NA variants and in vivo cross-protection. Cryo-EM analysis revealed that the 554-C2 clone targets the conserved enzymatic pocket via the DR motif, while the 554-C1 clone recognizes previously uncharacterized epitopes at the interface between two adjacent N2 monomers, effectively reducing plaque formation by contemporary H3N2 strains. Our findings highlight the immunological advantages of membrane-anchoring, providing a robust strategy for designing next-generation vaccines against influenza and other pathogens.
Competing Interest Statement
Westlake University has filed for patent protection for mNA used as an influenza vaccine.
Funder Information Declared
State Key Laboratory of Gene Expression, SKLGE-ZX-2025007
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory Construction Project, 2024ZY01026, 2024E10060, 2024E10052
Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang province, LR26H190001
National Natural Science Foundation of China, 82471855, 825B2062, 82330054, 82502209, 32471303
Source:
Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.05.13.724804v1
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Abstract
The ongoing panzootic of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 influenza has resulted in widespread infection of birds, mammals, and livestock, underscoring the need for tools to interpret its real-time evolution. Here, we describe the isolation and characterization of a panel of 19 human monoclonal antibodies that potently neutralize current isolates. Competition immunoassays and cryo-electron microscopy analyses revealed their collective near-complete epitope coverage of the H5-hemagglutinin surface. Neutralization profiling across multiple historical and contemporary H5 viruses defined their epitope-specific patterns of virus neutralization. One cluster of antibodies potently neutralized only clade 2.3.4.4b viruses, while many others exhibited broadly neutralizing activity against diverse H5N1 clades. Application of this structurally calibrated antibody panel to recent North American human isolates revealed genotype-specific antigenic divergence between lineages that have spread among cattle (B3.13) and poultry (D1.1). Together, the findings of this study establish a structurally grounded antibody reference panel spanning major vulnerable sites of H5 hemagglutinin and provide a toolbox for interpreting emergent mutations, monitoring ongoing antigenic drift, and anticipating the evolutionary trajectory of circulating H5N1 influenza viruses.
Competing Interest Statement
H.H., M.W., S.C., J.Y., Y.H., Y.G., and D.D.H. are inventors on the provisional patent application filed by Regeneron for several H5N1 neutralizing antibodies described herein. D.D.H. is a co-founder of TaiMed Biologics and RenBio, consultant to Brii Biosciences, and board director for Vicarious Surgical.
Funder Information Declared
Gates Foundation, INV019355
I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Risk of hantavirus to the public remains very low
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is working with local and federal partners on two separate hantavirus-related investigations.
One investigation involves individuals potentially exposed to cases linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, while the other involves a hantavirus infection unrelated to the cruise ship.
The cases involve different virus strains and exposure circumstances and are not connected.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by different rodent species.
Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a rare but serious disease caused by exposure to infected rodents or their droppings, urine, or saliva.
About one out of three people diagnosed with HPS have died.
The risk of contracting any strain of hantavirus remains very low.
Investigation 1: Andes virus exposure monitoring in Washington
Earlier this week, Public Health – Seattle & King County announced monitoring of three King County residents who were potentially exposed to the Andes strain of hantavirus linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship.
Two individuals were exposed during an international flight by a passenger who was later diagnosed with Andes virus, and one individual was exposed on the cruise ship.
All three people are currently asymptomatic.
Potentially exposed people are monitored for 42 days after their last exposure to a person infected with the Andes virus.
Additionally, CDC has notified DOH of three additional Washington residents who were on the same international flight as two of the King County individuals and are considered to have low-risk exposures.
One individual is a King County resident.
The other two residents live in Eastern Washington.
DOH is not releasing further details to protect individual privacy. Out of an abundance of caution, local health jurisdictions are reaching out to these individuals to assess exposure and monitor them for symptoms.
Andes virus is a type of hantavirus spread by rodents in South America. The rodents that carry the virus have not been found in the United States. In rare cases, Andes virus can spread from person to person, typically through prolonged, close contact with someone who is ill. No cases of Andes virus have been reported among Washington residents.
Local health jurisdictions are in regular contact with impacted residents to monitor for symptoms during the 42-day incubation period associated with Andes virus.
Investigation 2: Sin Nombre virus hantavirus pulmonary syndrome case in Chelan County
Today Chelan-Douglas Health District reported the first case of Sin Nombre virus hantavirus in Washington state this year. This case is not connected to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, which was caused by a different type of hantavirus.
Sin Nombre virus-infected deer mice are found throughout Washington. Infected deer mice can spread the virus through urine, saliva, and droppings. People can become infected by breathing contaminated dust when disturbing rodent droppings, urine, nests, or nesting materials, particularly in enclosed or rodent-infested spaces. Less commonly, people can be infected by touching contaminated objects and touching their eyes, nose, or mouth, or by being bitten or scratched by an infected rodent.
Any activity that puts you in contact with deer mouse droppings, urine, saliva, or nesting materials can place you at risk for infection. For information on how to safely clean areas where rodents may be present, DOH recommends the following guidance.
DOH has tracked hantavirus cases since 1994. The state typically reports one to five Sin Nombre hantavirus cases each year. Unlike Andes virus, Sin Nombre virus does not spread from person to person.
The risk to the public from any hantavirus is very low because:
- Sin Nombre virus infections can be prevented by avoiding contact with rodents and rodent-infested areas and using wet-cleaning methods when cleaning rodent droppings, dead or trapped rodents, or nesting materials.
- Andes virus person-to-person transmission can be limited through early identification of cases and monitoring of close contacts.
Visit DOH's website for additional information on Hantavirus.
Our website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Get updates by following us on social media.
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Latest update
-- The UK government continues to work with the NHS, local authorities and UK Overseas Territories in response to the hantavirus outbreak.
-- UKHSA and NHS staff have been closely monitoring those currently at Arrowe Park and those isolating at home to provide them with all necessary support.
-- As part of the outbreak response, UKHSA has deployed a rapid response mobile laboratory to the British Overseas Territory of St Helena.
-- Three members of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team (UK-PHRST), a partnership between UKHSA and London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, funded with UK aid by the Department of Health and Social Care, have been deployed with the laboratory in response to a request for support from the St Helena Government.
-- This includes 2 microbiologists who will provide PCR testing for hantavirus on the island, as well as supporting local testing to exclude other conditions.
-- An infection prevention and control (IPC) expert will also support Jamestown General Hospital to prepare and respond to any potential cases, providing IPC assessments and training.
-- Dr Edmund Newman, Director of the UK Public Health Rapid Support Team, said:
''This deployment reflects UKHSA’s commitment to responding rapidly to health threats wherever they emerge and to supporting our international partners in protecting public health globally.
''Our teams continue to work closely with all those affected by this outbreak, both in the UK and overseas, to ensure all necessary support is in place. The risk to the general public remains very low.
-- Further information on the rapid response mobile laboratory can be found in the recent blog from UKHSA.
Source:
Link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ukhsa-update-on-the-hantavirus-cruise-ship-outbreak
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Key messages
-- This document aims to provide advice on infection prevention and control (IPC) measures for healthcare facilities providing care to patients with suspected or confirmed ANDV disease.
-- The advice is an update of previous recommendations in the ‘Threat Assessment Brief: Hantavirus-associated cluster of illness on a cruise ship: ECDC assessment and recommendations, of 6 May 2026’ and the ‘Rapid Scientific Advice on the management of passengers in the context of the Andes virus outbreak on the cruise ship M/V Hondius, of 9 May 2026’, with a focus on the application of IPC measures in healthcare facilities [1,2].
-- ECDC rapid scientific advice disclosure statement:
- ECDC issues rapid scientific advice to meet an emergent or urgent public health need or to quickly reply to external requests.
- To accommodate the accelerated timeline, the process and methods used for the development of rapid scientific advice may be modified from those of standard assessments and recommendations.
- Potential limitations are described in the document.
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
Kinshasa/Brazzaville — The World Health Organization (WHO) is rapidly scaling up support to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following confirmation of an outbreak of Ebola Bundibugyo in the country’s north-eastern Ituri Province.
Laboratory analysis conducted by the National Institute of Biomedical Research (INRB), the country’s reference laboratory in the capital Kinshasa, confirmed the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo species in 13 of 20 samples collected from suspected cases linked to a cluster of severe illness and deaths reported in Mongbwalu and Rwampara health zones in Ituri Province.
The Bundibugyo species was first identified in 2007 in Bundibugyo district in western Uganda, during which 131 cases were reported with 42 deaths (case fatality rate of 32%).
In the current outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a total of 67 community deaths suspected to be due to Ebola Bundibugyo have been reported so far.
Patients presented with symptoms including fever, generalized body pain, weakness, vomiting and, in some cases, bleeding.
Several cases deteriorated rapidly and died.
Given the uncertainties and severity of the illness, there is concern about the scale of transmission in affected communities.
A WHO mission including the WHO representative, the emergency preparedness and response team had already been deployed in Ituri to support the provincial authorities with investigations that led to the confirmation of the outbreak in the two health zones.
The team is also working with the national and provincial health authorities to strengthen outbreak control measures and prevent further spread of the virus.
National authorities have activated emergency coordination mechanisms and deployed additional multidisciplinary rapid response teams to affected areas.
Additional WHO experts in epidemiology, infection prevention and control, laboratory diagnostics, clinical care, logistics, risk communication and community engagement are being mobilized to reinforce the frontline response.
Priority actions include strengthening disease surveillance, active case finding, contact tracing, infection prevention and control in health facilities, expanding access to safe care, laboratory testing capacity, ensuring safe burials and community sensitization to prevent further spread of the disease.
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo has extensive experience responding to Ebola outbreaks, and WHO is rapidly scaling up support to the ongoing response,” said Dr Mohamed Janabi, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
"Working closely with national authorities and partners, we are mobilizing swiftly, deploying additional expertise and resources to halt the spread of the virus, protect and save lives.”
WHO is airlifting 5 metric tonnes of supplies, including infection prevention and control, materials, laboratory sample transportation equipment, case management, tents and other supplies currently available in Kinshasa to Bunia to support frontline health workers and treatment facilities.
The outbreak is affecting areas that present significant operational challenges, including urban areas with intense population movements associated with mining activities, insecurity, and frequent cross- border movement—all of which increase the risk of further transmission.
In neighbouring Uganda, the Ministry of Health confirmed Ebola Bundibugyo in a patient from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who was being treated at a health facility but later died.
Ugandan health authorities have activated outbreak control measures, including disease surveillance, screening and response readiness.
This marks the 17th recorded outbreak of Ebola disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since the virus was first identified in 1976 in Yambuku, in Equateur Province.
The last one was an outbreak of Ebola virus disease that ended in December 2025.
Ebola disease is a severe and often fatal illness transmitted through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, as well as contaminated surfaces and materials.
Early detection, supportive treatment and rapid public health measures significantly improve survival and are critical to stopping transmission.
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
{Edited}
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening,
Today, I had a call with the Minister of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo concerning the new outbreak of Ebola disease in the country’s north-eastern Ituri Province.
Currently, WHO is aware that 13 cases of Ebola have been confirmed by the L'Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale, I.N.R.B., in Kinshasa.
On the fifth of May, WHO received a signal of suspected cases and sent a team to Ituri to support DRC health officials in their investigation of the outbreak and collect samples in the field, which initially tested negative for Ebola.
Samples were subsequently sent to I.N.R.B., which yesterday confirmed some as positive for Ebola.
This is the 17th recorded Ebola outbreak in DRC since the virus was first identified in 1976. DRC has a strong track record in Ebola response and control, and I have also assured the Minister of our full support.
The World Health Organization’s Representative to DRC, and other WHO experts, are in Ituri and working side-by-side with DRC health authorities to respond to, and contain the outbreak.
Additional WHO experts in risk communication and community engagement, infection prevention and control, clinical care and logistics will join the WHO team already on the ground in coming days.
We have deployed medical supplies and protective equipment for infection prevention and control to Bunia, the Ituri provincial capital.
Today, I have released US$ 500 000 from WHO’s Contingency Fund for Emergencies to immediately support the response.
Priority actions include:
° risk communication and community engagement,
° strengthening disease surveillance,
° active case finding and contact tracing,
° infection prevention and control in health facilities,
° expanding access to safe clinical care, and increasing laboratory testing capacity.
WHO will continue working to support the Democratic Republic of the Congo to bring this Ebola outbreak under control, and will deploy resources, and work with and mobilize partners across the region, to contain its spread and care for those affected.
The outbreak is a reminder of the persistent threat to human health of disease outbreaks, and the importance of cooperation and solidarity to continually strengthen global health security.
The response to the hantavirus outbreak is a recent, prime example of what can happen when the world comes together to confront a disease threat.
Yesterday, I wrote again to the people of Tenerife to thank them for the solidarity they showed to the passengers and crew of the MV Hondius affected by the hantavirus outbreak.
WHO worked together with approximately 30 governments, the ship’s captain, crew and passengers, the cruise ship operator and, crucially, the people of Tenerife to manage this crisis.
This show of support from Tenerife will not be forgotten.
Today, I hope the rest of world is inspired by the spirit of the Tenerife and Spanish people.
At a time of great division, tension and uncertainty, we must respond jointly to common challenges that our global community faces, in the spirit of cooperation.
For as we at WHO always say, solidarity is the best immunity.
I am pleased to report that the operation to transfer the ship’s passengers from Tenerife has been successfully completed, with more than 120 people now being cared for in their home countries, or quarantined in host countries enroute to their final destination.
Captain Jan Dobrogowski and his 26-member crew are still onboard the MV Hondius and are expected to dock in the Netherlands on Monday.
I remain in regular contact with Captain Jan and again salute him and his crew for their dedication to their passengers, and each other. He has informed me that there are still no symptomatic persons on board as of today.
WHO repeats that the risk from this event to the global population is low, and we will continue to issue updates as needed.
As of today, a total of 10 cases, including three deaths, have been reported to WHO, including eight people who were laboratory-confirmed for Andes virus infection and two probable. There have been no further deaths reported since the second of May.
Because of the long incubation period of up to 6 weeks, more cases may be reported in coming days as passengers return to their countries, where they are being quarantined and tested in specialized facilities or at home.
This does not mean the outbreak is expanding; it shows that the control measures are working, that laboratory testing is ongoing, and that people are being cared for with support from their governments.
It is incredible to think that it was less than two weeks ago, on the second of May, that WHO was first notified by the United Kingdom, through channels established under the International Health Regulations, of an unknown respiratory disease onboard the ship.
WHO immediately convened affected countries, shared information with all Member States, worked with the governments in Cabo Verde, Spain, the Netherlands and beyond, to coordinate the medical evacuation of sick patients and repatriation of passengers and crew.
WHO rapidly developed and shared technical guidance for the disembarkation of the people on board and their repatriation home, for quarantine and follow up.
WHO continues to coordinate the global response and our work is not finished.
Our current priorities are to continue actively following up on the status of confirmed and suspected cases; to continue to better understand the epidemiology of Andes hantavirus, including how this outbreak began and spread; and to foster scientific collaboration for optimal clinical care of patients infected with this virus.
In addition, we are working with more than 20 countries to coordinate studies to better understand the natural history of the disease.
Today, an open scientific consultation on Andes virus medical countermeasures was convened by the UK Health Security Agency, and supported by the WHO R&D Blueprint, to identify gaps, improve coordination and establish priorities for research and development into potential hantavirus therapeutics and vaccines.
The importance of vaccines for protecting health cannot be underestimated.
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Thank you and Tarik, back to you.
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
{Excerpt}
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Time Period: May 03, 2026 - May 09, 2026
-- A(H5) Detection: 6 site(s) (1.4%)
-- No Detection: 416 site(s) (98.6%)
-- No samples: 118 site(s)
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Source:
Link: https://www.cdc.gov/wastewater/emerging-viruses/h5.html?
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
ECDC was notified on 2 May 2026 of a cluster of severe respiratory illness on MV Hondius, a Dutch-flagged cruise ship with passengers and crew from 23 countries, including nine EU/EEA countries.
The virus has been identified as Andes hantavirus.
As of 15 May, a total of eleven cases have been reported, including eight confirmed, two probable, and one inconclusive.
No new cases or deaths have been reported since the previous update.
The risk to the EU/EEA general population remains very low.
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-- Confirmed cases***: 8
-- Probable cases**: 2
-- Suspected cases*: 0
-- Inconclusive cases****: 1
-- Number of deaths: 3
Notes
{*} A suspected case is a person who has been on or visited the same transport (e.g. ship or plane) where a confirmed or probable Andes hantavirus (ANDV) case was present,
- OR -
has been in contact with a passenger or crew member of the MV Hondius since 5 April,
- AND -
has a fever (currently or recently), plus at least one of the following symptoms:
° muscle aches
° chills
° headache
° stomach problems (such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or abdominal pain)
° breathing problems (such as cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or difficulty breathing)
{**} A probable case is a person who has the symptoms listed above, and is known to have been in contact with a confirmed or probable ANDV case
{***} A confirmed case is a person who meets the suspected or probable case definition, and has a laboratory test that confirms ANDV infection (PCR or antibody test)
{****} An inconclusive case means awaiting further laboratory investigations.
Non-case: A non-case is a person who was initially considered a suspected or probable case, but tests negative for ANDV using laboratory tests (PCR or antibody test).
Source:
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I am an Italian blogger, active since 2005 with main focus on emerging infectious diseases such as avian influenza, SARS, antibiotics resistance, and many other global Health issues. Other fields of interest are: climate change, global warming, geological and biological sciences. My activity consists mainly in collection and analysis of news, public services updates, confronting sources and making decision about what are the 'signals' of an impending crisis (an outbreak, for example). When a signal is detected, I follow traces during the entire course of an event. I started in 2005 my blog ''A TIME'S MEMORY'', now with more than 40,000 posts and 3 millions of web interactions. Subsequently I added an Italian Language blog, then discontinued because of very low traffic and interest. I contributed for seven years to a public forum (FluTrackers.com) in the midst of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa in 2014, I left the site to continue alone my data tracking job.
