ETIDIOH - NEW

  February 2026  WHO convenes technical consultations {1} in February and September each year to recommend viruses for inclusion in influenza vaccines {2} for the northern hemisphere (NH) and southern hemisphere (SH) influenza seasons, respectively.  This recommendation relates to the influenza vaccines for use in the NH 2026-2027 influenza season .  A recommendation will be made in September 2026 relating to vaccines that will be used for the SH 2027 influenza season.  WHO guidance for choosing between the NH and SH formulations for countries in tropical and subtropical regions is available on the WHO Global Influenza Programme website {3}.   National or regional authorities approve the composition and formulation of influenza vaccines used in each country.  National public health authorities are responsible for making recommendations regarding the use of the vaccine.  WHO has published recommendations on the prevention of influenza {4}....

  Highlights     • Transmission of mpox continues in sexual networks , affecting both women and men , and in some historically endemic areas .  - All clades of monkeypox virus (MPXV) continue to circulate.  - Unless mpox outbreaks are rapidly contained and human-to-human transmission is interrupted , there is a risk of sustained community transmission .  • In January 2026, 50 countries across all WHO regions reported a total of 1334 new confirmed mpox cases , including three deaths (case fatality ratio [CFR] 0.2%).  - Of these cases , 66% were reported in the African Region.  • Four regions observed a decline in confirmed cases in January, compared to December 2025, while the European Region reported an increase in confirmed cases. • Twenty countries in Africa reported active transmission of mpox in the last six weeks (5 January – 15 February 2026), with 1142 confirmed cases, including four deaths (CFR 0.4%).  - Countries reporting the highes...

  {Excerpt} Overall Global Risk Statement    -- This global rapid risk assessment (RRA) aims to assess the current public health risk associated with the 2024 upsurge of mpox in in Africa , in the context of the continuing global reporting of mpox cases in other regions since 2022, with a focus on updates since the previous RRA in September 2025.     Global overview   -- As of 28 January 2026, the monkeypox virus (MPXV) continues to spread globally, causing both localized and extended mpox outbreaks driven by various MPXV clades (Ia, Ib, IIa, and IIb) in diverse settings.  -- Furthermore, recombination of MPXV clades has been documented, with two cases of a recombinant clade Ib/IIb MPXV strain reported in recent months.   -- Globally, from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2025 (latest global data available), 143 countries and territories across all WHO regions have reported 177 848 confirmed cases, including 477 deaths (case fatality ratio ...

  Situation at a glance Recombination of monkeypox virus (MPXV) strains has been documented in recent months , with two cases of a recombinant strain comprising clade Ib and IIb MPXV reported.  Recombination is a known natural process that can occur when two related viruses infecting the same individual exchange genetic material , producing a new virus.  The first case was detected in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (hereafter “United Kingdom”), with travel history to a country in South-East Asia , and the second in India , with travel history to a country in the Arabian Peninsula .  Detailed analysis of the virus genomes shows that the two individuals fell ill several weeks apart with the same recombinant strain , suggesting that there may be further cases than are currently reported .  Both cases had similar clinical presentation to that observed for other clades.  Neither patient experienced severe outcomes.  Contact tracing...

  {Excerpt} Avian Influenza Report - Reporting period: February 1, 2026 – February 7, 2026 (Week 6) (Published on February 10, 2026)   -- Avian influenza A(H9N2) :  1) Guangdong Province :  - A 73-year-old woman with onset on January 17, 2026.  2) Hunan Province :  - A 2-year-old boy with onset on December 29, 2025.  -- Avian influenza A(H10N3) : 1) Guangdong Province :  - A 34-year-old man with onset on December 29, 2025.   (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/2026_avian_influenza_report_vol22_wk06.pdf ____

  6 February 2026 Situation at a glance On 3 February 2026, the International Health Regulations National Focal Point (IHR NFP) for Bangladesh notified WHO of one confirmed case of Nipah virus (NiV) infection in Rajshahi Division .  The patient developed fever and neurological symptoms on 21 January.  Nipah virus infection was laboratory-confirmed on 29 January.  The patient reported no travel history but had a history of consuming raw date palm sap .  All 35 contact-persons are being monitored and have tested negative for NiV and no further cases have been detected to date.  Bangladesh regularly has small NiV outbreaks , with cases reported at different times of the year, though outbreaks tend to occur between December and April corresponding with the harvesting and consumption of date palm sap.  The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Bangladesh has implemented several public health measures.  WHO assesses the overall public health risk pos...