{Excerpt}
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Time Period: June 21, 2026 - June 27, 2026
-- A(H5) Detection: 6 site(s) (1.3%)
-- No Detection: 453 site(s) (98.7%)
-- No samples: 33 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.
July 04, 2026
As cyclosporiasis cases continue to rise, with the largest increase occurring in Southeast Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is providing additional recommendations to help prevent foodborne illness related to fresh produce.
As of July 4, 2026, no specific produce grower/supplier, or specific produce type has been identified as the source of the outbreak.
In Michigan, the number of reported cases has risen to 572 as of Saturday, July 4, up from 170 on Tuesday, June 30.
Cases remain the highest in Monroe, Lenawee, Washtenaw, Wayne, Shiawassee, Jackson, Oakland and Livingston counties.
MDHHS is working with local health departments and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and will update information as it becomes available.
Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the Cyclospora parasite. People can become infected by consuming food or water that contains the parasite.
Cyclospora infects the small intestine (bowel) and usually causes frequent, watery and explosive diarrhea.
The time between being exposed and becoming sick is usually about one week but can range from two days to two weeks or more.
Untreated, the illness may last from a few days to more than a month. Symptoms may go away and then return.
Cyclosporiasis is not usually life-threatening, but dehydration from frequent bouts of diarrhea can cause severe illness, particularly among younger or older people and those who have weakened immune systems.
Previous outbreaks
The following foods have been specifically linked to previous Cyclospora outbreaks in the United States and Canada:
° Bagged salad mixes and kits (pre-cut lettuce blends with romaine, iceberg, red cabbage, carrots)
° Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves)
° Fresh basil
° Raspberries
° Snow peas
° Green onions (scallions)
Given the large and increasing number of cases in Michigan, MDHHS recommends that entities in Southeast Michigan who are preparing, processing, or serving raw produce, including restaurants and other commercial kitchens, take the following steps to reduce risks of exposure:
° Lettuce/leafy greens:
- buy whole heads of lettuce (rather than prewashed, bagged lettuce or salad mixes), throw away the outer 2–3 layers of leaves and wash the inner leaves under running water. For leafy greens that can be cooked, cooking is the safest option.
° Cilantro, basil:
- Wash thoroughly under running water, separating the leaves. Safest when cooked.
° Green onions:
- Trim the root end and remove the outer layer, wash thoroughly under running water. Safest when cooked.
° Raspberries:
- Their bumpy surface makes them especially hard to clean; the parasite can hide in the tiny crevices. Safest when cooked (pies, jams etc.). Consider frozen raspberries as an alternative (freezing may reduce but does not guarantee elimination of the parasite).
° Snow peas:
- Wash under running water and rub the surface. Safest when cooked.
These recommendations are particularly important for people who have a higher risk of dehydration or weakened immune systems such as patients on chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, infants and young children and elderly people.
General Rules to Reduce Your Risk
° Cook when you can. Heating food to 158°F (70°C) or higher kills Cyclospora.
° Wash all fresh produce under clean running water, even if you plan to peel it.
Reminders about routine food safety practices
° Wash hands with soap and water before and after handling or preparing food.
° Scrub firm fruits and vegetables, such as melons and cucumbers, with a clean produce brush.
° Cut away any damaged or bruised areas on fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating.
° Wash and sanitize utensils and surfaces before and after handling food. Wash and sanitize display cases and refrigerators where fresh produce is stored.
° Wash and sanitize cutting boards, surfaces and utensils used to prepare, serve or store fresh produce.
° Refrigerate cut, peeled or cooked fruits and vegetables as soon as possible.
If you do become ill
° People experiencing gastrointestinal illness, such as sudden and ongoing diarrhea, are encouraged to contact their health care provider and reach out to their local health department.
° Cyclosporiasis is treated with antibiotics along with rest and drinking plenty of fluids to maintain hydration.
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.
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.
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Public Domain.
Source:
Link: https://www.wikiart.org/en/edvard-munch/night-1890
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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.
Highlights (for review)
• JN.1 mRNA vaccination elicits cross-neutralizing antibodies against BA.3.2.2.
• BA.3.2.2 is antigenically isolated from all circulating JN.1-descendant variants.
• Retention of wild-type F456 in BA.3.2.2 preserves class 1/2 antibody epitopes.
• AZD3152/sipavibart retains potent neutralization against BA.3.2.2.
• VYD222/pemivibart maintains broad neutralization activity across all variants tested.
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 BA.3.2.2 sublineage has emerged globally as the dominant branch of BA.3.2 by late 2025, yet its antigenic relationship with JN.1 vaccine-induced immunity remains unclear. We evaluated neutralizing antibody responses in 25 JN.1 mRNA vaccinees against eight variants, stratified by anti-nucleocapsid antibody serostatus. Post-vaccination titers increased significantly against all variants in both N antibody-negative and -positive groups. Cross-neutralization against BA.3.2.2 was detected in both groups despite lower titers compared to JN.1. Antigenic cartography revealed that BA.3.2.2 was antigenically isolated from all JN.1-descendant variants. AZD3152/sipavibart retained potent neutralization against BA.3.2.2 but completely lost activity against all F456L-harboring JN.1-descendant variants, while VYD222/pemivibart and SA55 maintained broad activity. Retention of wild-type F456 in BA.3.2.2 preserves class 1/2 antibody epitopes, providing a mechanistic basis for cross-neutralization and suggesting a potential therapeutic window for sipavibart should BA.3.2.2 expand globally, pending clinical confirmation.
Source:
Link: https://www.ijidonline.com/article/S1201-9712(26)00589-8/fulltext
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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.
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.
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By The original uploader was Dr2005 at Romanian Wikipedia. - Transferred from ro.wikipedia to Commons., CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8459430
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.
Abstract
Clade 2.3.4.4b H5NX influenza viruses have spread widely in birds since 2020. In addition to causing disease in birds, these viruses have infected a variety of mammals, including humans. Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses are currently causing an outbreak among dairy cattle in the United States, and it is important to determine if other mammals have been exposed to H5NX viruses. Cats, specifically outdoor and feral cats, frequently predate wild birds. Recent studies have shown that cats living on dairy cattle farms can be infected with H5N1. Here, we completed serological studies to determine if owned and feral cats living in an urban environment in the United States have evidence of past H5N1 exposures. We used multianalyte bead-based assays to measure clade 2.3.4.4b hemagglutinin (HA) antibody levels in serum samples collected in July 2023 to June 2025 from 417 feral and 228 owned cats from the greater Philadelphia area. We also measured antibody levels against a panel of HAs from other human and non-human influenza viruses, and the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We completed additional H5N1 and SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assays using samples that had detectable antibodies in the multianalyte bead-based assays. One cat (0.16%) was positive for H5 antibodies and twenty cats (3.1%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in both binding and neutralization assays. These data suggest that cats in the Philadelphia area have not been routinely exposed to clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 viruses but have been more commonly exposed to SARS-CoV-2.
Source:
Link: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.07.03.736283v1
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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.
Week 27, 2026
Produced on 2 July 2026 at 12:00 based on data submitted up to 1 July 2026
Epidemiological summary
Since the beginning of 2026, and as of 1 July, three countries in Europe reported six human cases{1} of West Nile virus (WNV) infection: Italy (three cases), Romania (two cases) and North Macedonia (one case).
The current report in Table 1 includes the number of probable and confirmed cases of WNV infections per NUTS3 region. However, these figures are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution as they may be revised by the countries as more information becomes available.
For further details on case numbers, please refer to the joint monthly report, which offers a more detailed analysis.
Please note: The table and map in this report contain countries and areas where human West Nile virus infection cases were reported to EpiPulse Cases.
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Overview of West Nile virus cases in EU/EEA and EU-neighbouring countries
Table 1. Countries and regions with locally acquired human cases of West Nile virus infections in 2026 as of 1 July.
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* An ‘affected area’ or ‘risk area’ is defined as ‘a risk area with ongoing transmission of WNV to humans’. This means that at least one autochthonous human case of WNV has been reported as a result of local transmission in the area according to the agreed, standardised and disease-specific case definition. In exceptional circumstances, a probable case can be used to determine transmission, however, this should only apply in specific and agreed situations when a case cannot be confirmed within a reasonable time.
** Compared to the previous weekly report.
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Source:
Link: https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/west-nile-fever/surveillance-and-disease-data/disease-data-ecdc
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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 emergence of animal influenza viruses circulating in poultry and human populations poses a significant public health threat, yet current risk assessment tools that connect surveillance data to human transmission risk and disease severity are lacking. To address this, we employed a semi-quantitative approach to analyze virus tropism and replication competence, conducting risk assessments of influenza and coronavirus adaptation to human transmission in an ex vivo model, and evaluating virus-induced impairment of alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) in vitro as a correlation of disease severity. Our results showed that seasonal influenza A H1N1, H3N2, influenza B, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV exhibited productive viral replication and tissue infection in bronchial tissues, whereas wild bird surveillance isolates such as H5N3 and H7N1 showed minimal replication when compared to pandemic H1N1 and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1. Notably, differential lung viral replication and tissue tropism were detected for H5N6 and H9N2. HPAI H5N1, H7N9, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV caused more severe AFC impairment than seasonal H1N1, H3N2, and influenza B viruses, correlating with their clinical severity. Overall, these findings revealed an important association between viral tropism and human transmissibility in ex vivo explants, as well as the impairment of AFC in vitro, which aligns with the clinical manifestations of disease severity across different viral strains.
Source:
Link: https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/jgv.0.002281
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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.
Situation at a glance
The Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to evolve rapidly, with sustained transmission and increasing numbers of reported cases.
As of 1 July, a cumulative of 1460 confirmed cases, including 452 deaths, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As of 2 July, Uganda has reported 20 confirmed cases including two deaths, as well as one probable case who has died.
In addition, on 24 June 2026, French authorities notified WHO of a laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in a medical doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In Uganda, the outbreak remains epidemiologically linked to transmission originating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with evidence of both imported infections and secondary transmission among contacts and healthcare workers.
Uganda has not reported any new cases since 21 June 2026.
National authorities in the two affected countries, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are implementing an extensive set of response measures.
A regional preparedness and prioritization framework continues to guide readiness activities across the African Region.
Description of the situation
Since the last Disease Outbreak News was published on 19 June 2026, the number of confirmed cases and deaths have increased rapidly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In total, 1481 confirmed cases; 1460 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20 from Uganda and one from France (linked to DRC); and 454 deaths including two from Uganda, have been reported.
At least 229 patients have recovered from the disease; 213 patients from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and 16 patients from Uganda.
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Democratic Republic of the Congo
Since 19 June when the last Disease Outbreak News was published, an additional 564 confirmed cases, including 220 confirmed deaths, have been reported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The increase is in part due to the scale up of surveillance activities, testing and diagnostic capacities.
As of 1 July 2026, a total of 1460 confirmed cases including 452 deaths (crude case fatality ratio [CFR] 30.9%) have been reported from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
So far, 213 patients have recovered.
Cases have been reported from 36 health zones (HZ) from Ituri (24/36 HZ), North Kivu (11/35 HZ) and South Kivu provinces (1/34 HZ).[1]
To date, 102 confirmed cases including 25 deaths have been reported among health and care workers.
Of the 36 affected health zones, the outbreak remains active in 21 health zones from where cases have been reported in the past 21 days. The remaining health zones have not reported any new cases during this period. In the past 21 days, 838 confirmed cases, including 314 confirmed deaths, have been reported.
Ituri Province remains the most affected, accounting for 91.3% (1333/1460) of all confirmed cases and 84% (380/452) of all reported deaths nationwide. Within the province, the highest number of confirmed cases have been reported from Bunia (416 cases), Rwampara (308 cases), Mongbwalu (270 cases), Nyankunde (95 cases), and Nizi (65 cases) health zones.
As of 1 July, the outbreak has spread to three additional health zones in the province. Following epidemiological investigations, three confirmed cases with travel history from Nia Nia health zone in Ituri province have been reported on 30 June in Wamba health zone in Haut Uele Province and Kisangani in Tshopo province. These cases have been reported under Nia Nia health zone. Response activities, including contact tracing and follow-up, are ongoing in both provinces. Of the total confirmed cases, 17 are yet to be assigned to a specific health zone.
As of 1 July, 10 821 contacts have been identified and are under follow-up across Ituri (8376), and North Kivu (2445). Of these, 8954 contacts have been followed up, corresponding to follow-up rates of 83.2% in Ituri, and 81% in North Kivu. Previously listed contacts from South Kivu province have completed 21 days of follow up.
In addition, 107 contacts of the case reported in France have been listed and are under follow up in Kinshasa.
The outbreak is unfolding in a complex humanitarian and conflict-affected environment, characterized by highly mobile and often displaced populations, often lacking access to basic services, including food, clean water, shelter, healthcare and protection which poses an increased risk of transmission to the populations living in overcrowded internally displaced camps. These dynamics, combined with increasing security-related incidents affecting health facilities, have posed additional operational challenges in affected provinces, such as constrained access for response teams, disrupted surveillance and response activities, and heightened risk of undetected transmission. These conditions underscore the need for response efforts to be led by local leaders and anchored in communities.
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Figure 2: Number of confirmed cases (n = 1460), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by date of reporting, as of 1 July 2026 Confirmed cases in DRC
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Figure 3: Number of deaths among confirmed cases (n = 452), in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by date of reporting, as of 1 July 2026. Deaths in DRC
NB: Newly reported confirmed cases/deaths may be part of the backlog of samples and therefore not necessarily newly acquired infections.
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Uganda
The last confirmed case was reported to be identified on 21 June 2026.
As of 2 July 2026, a cumulative of 20 confirmed cases including two deaths in imported cases (reported on 15 May and 5 June), and one probable case who has died, have been reported.
Of the confirmed cases, 15 are imported cases, while five are secondary cases among contacts and health workers with links to imported cases from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The cases have been reported in two districts, Kampala and Wakiso, both part of the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
To date, there has been no documented community transmission in Uganda.
Exposure risks are associated with healthcare settings and cross-border movements.
Following case reclassification, the number of affected healthcare workers was revised from five to four. In total, 16 recoveries have been reported to date.
Of the 831 contacts listed as of 28 June, 821 contacts have completed their 21-day follow-up period as of 2 July.
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Figure 4: Number of confirmed cases (n = 20), in Uganda by date of reporting, as of 2 July 2026
France:
On 24 June 2026, French authorities notified WHO of a laboratory-confirmed case of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in a middle-aged male medical doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The patient had been deployed for five weeks in Ituri Province, where he was involved in the care of patients with BVD.
Upon arrival at Charles de Gaulle Airport on 23 June 2026, the patient self-reported symptoms to airport health authorities, prompting immediate isolation and referral to a designated high-containment healthcare facility.
At the time of reporting, the patient was clinically stable and had no fever, with no reported vomiting, diarrhoea, or haemorrhagic manifestations during travel. PCR testing detected Bundibugyo virus. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in France.
Epidemiology
Bundibugyo virus disease (BVD) is a severe Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the Orthoebolavirus species. It is a zoonotic disease, with fruit bats suspected to be the natural reservoir. Human infection is thought to occur through close contact with the blood or secretions of infected wildlife, such as bats or non-human primates, and it subsequently spreads from person to person through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals or contaminated surfaces or items. Transmission is particularly amplified in health-care settings when infection prevention and control (IPC) measures are inadequate, and during unsafe burial practices involving direct contact with the deceased.
The incubation period for BVD ranges from two to 21 days, and individuals are not infectious until symptom onset. Early symptoms such as fever, fatigue, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat, are non-specific, which complicates clinical diagnosis and can delay detection. These symptoms then progress to gastrointestinal symptoms, organ dysfunction, and in some cases haemorrhagic manifestations. CFRs in the past two BVD outbreaks, reported in Uganda and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2007 and 2012 were 30% and 50%, respectively.
Differentiating BVD from other endemic febrile illnesses such as malaria is challenging without laboratory confirmation using PCR or antigen/antibody-based assays. Outbreak control relies on rapid case identification, isolation and care, contact tracing, safe burials, and strong community engagement, as no approved vaccines or specific treatments currently exist for BVD.
Public health response
Health authorities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, in collaboration with WHO and partners, are implementing extensive public health measures including implementing the continental response plan, engaging donors and mobilizing additional resources to address critical funding gaps and sustain response operations across affected and at-risk areas.
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WHO risk assessment
On 6 June 2026, WHO reassessed the risk of the outbreak of BVD to incorporate newly available information and align with the WHO Temporary Recommendations.
The risk for countries sharing land borders with countries with documented Bundibugyo virus (BVDV) detection, currently the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, has been separated out from the risk for other countries in the African Region.
The risk in the Democratic Republic of the Congo remains assessed as very high due to ongoing transmission and the continued expansion of the outbreak into new health zones, increasing the potential for further national and regional spread.
The risk in Uganda is assessed as high due to confirmed cross-border spread through imported cases and ongoing epidemiological links along the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo–western Uganda corridor, historically affected by Ebola outbreaks, including Bundibugyo and Sudan virus disease outbreaks.
The risk for countries with land borders adjoining countries with documented BDBV detection is assessed as high due to sustained population mobility linked to cross-border trade and mining activities, variation in capacities and experience of BVD response, and variable levels of readiness.
The risk for the rest of the Africa region and at the global level is assessed as low.
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WHO advice
WHO advises against any restriction of travel to, or trade with, the Democratic Republic of the Congo or Uganda based on the currently available information. WHO continues to closely monitor and, where necessary, verify travel and trade measures in relation to this event.
For further information on the considerations for implementing border health and international travel-related temporary recommendations, please see the relevant technical note issued on 26 May 2026.
The Temporary Recommendations issued to State Parties on 22 May 2026 underscore the importance of coordinated outbreak control, enhanced cross‑border collaboration, and sustained surveillance and preparedness to prevent further regional spread and ensure an effective public health response.
WHO has convened several technical advisory groups, including the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) to assess candidate vaccines and therapeutics for BVD. Key recommendations made are available in the news release published on 28 May 2026.
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Citable reference: World Health Organization (3 July 2026). Disease Outbreak News; Bundibugyo Virus Disease, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Available at https://www/who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak/news/item/2026-DON612
[1] #Data source: Centre des opérations d'urgences de sante publique (COUSP-DRC)
Source:
Link: https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2026-DON612
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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 at the human-animal interface - Summary and risk assessment, from 9 May to 12 June 2026 {1}
• New human cases {2}:
° From 9 May to 12 June 2026, based on reporting date, detections of influenza A(H9N2) in four humans were reported officially.
• Circulation of influenza viruses with zoonotic potential in animals:
° High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) events in poultry and non-poultry animal species continue to be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).{3}
° The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) also provides a global update on avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential.{4}
° Additionally, low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses continue to circulate in animal populations.
• Risk assessment {5}:
° Sustained human to human transmission has not been reported associated with the above-mentioned human infection events.
° Based on information available at the time of this risk assessment update, the overall public health risk from currently known influenza A viruses detected at the human-animal interface has not changed and remains low.
° At present, these viruses are not thought to be capable of sustained human-to-human transmission, although this could change as they evolve.
° Although human infections with viruses of animal origin are infrequent, they are not unexpected at the human-animal interface.
• IHR compliance {6}:
° This includes any influenza A virus that has demonstrated the capacity to infect a human and its haemagglutinin (HA) gene (or protein) is not a mutated form of those, i.e. A(H1) or A(H3), circulating widely in the human population.
° Information from these notifications is critical to inform risk assessments for influenza at the human-animal interface.
Avian influenza viruses in humans
A(H9N2), China
° Between 13 May and 11 June 2026, China notified WHO of four laboratory-confirmed cases of A(H9N2) virus infection detected through influenza-like illness surveillance.
° All cases recovered from illness.
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° The child with onset in April was admitted to hospital with pneumonia.
° The adult case had comorbidities and was hospitalized.
° All the cases had exposure to live bird markets or household poultry.
° Samples from environments associated with the likely area of exposure of all but one of these cases tested positive for A(H9) viruses.
° No further cases were detected among contacts of these cases.
Risk assessment for avian influenza A(H9N2):
{1} This summary and assessment covers information confirmed during this period and may include information received outside of this period.
{2} For epidemiological and virological features of human infections with animal influenza viruses not reported in this assessment, see the reports on human cases of influenza at the human-animal interface published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record here.
{3} World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). Avian influenza. Global situation. Available at: https://www.woah.org/en/disease/avian-influenza/#ui-id-2.
{4} Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Global Avian Influenza Viruses with Zoonotic Potential situation update. Available at: https://www.fao.org/animal-health/situation-updates/global-aiv-withzoonotic-potential.
{5} World Health Organization (2012). Rapid risk assessment of acute public health events. World Health Organization. Available at: https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/70810.
{6} World Health Organization. Case definitions for the four diseases requiring notification in all circumstances under the International Health Regulations (2005). Available at: https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/case-definitions-for-the-four-diseases-requiring-notification-towho-in-all-circumstances-under-the-ihr-(2005).
{7} World Organisation for Animal Health. Statement on High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza in Cattle, 6 December 2024 (https://www.woah.org/en/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza-hpai-in-cattle/).
{8} World Health Organization. International Health Regulations (2005), as amended through resolutions WHA67.13 (2014), WHA75.12 (2022), and WHA77.17 (2024) (https://apps.who.int/gb/bd/pdf_files/IHR_20142022-2024-en.pdf).
{9} World Health Organization. Case definitions for the four diseases requiring notification in all circumstances under the International Health Regulations (2005) (https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/casedefinitions-for-the-four-diseases-requiring-notification-to-who-in-all-circumstances-under-the-ihr-(2005)).
{10} World Health Organization. Manual for the laboratory diagnosis and virological surveillance of influenza (2011) (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/44518).
{11} World Health Organization. Pandemic influenza preparedness framework for the sharing of influenza viruses and access to vaccines and other benefits, 2nd edition (https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/341850).
{12} World Health Organization. Operational guidance on sharing influenza viruses with human pandemic potential (IVPP) under the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework (2017) (https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/259402).
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.
