ETIDIOH - NEW

  Situation at a glance Since the beginning of 2025 and as of 21 December 2025, a total of 19 cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS- CoV), including four deaths have been reported to WHO globally.  Of the 19 cases, 17 were reported by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and two were reported from France .  Between 4 June and 21 December 2025, the Ministry of Health (MoH) of KSA reported a total of seven cases of MERS-CoV infection, including two deaths .  In addition , at the beginning of December 2025, the National IHR Focal Point (IHR NFP) for France also reported two MERS-CoV travel – associated cases ; involving individuals with recent travel to countries in the Arabian Peninsula.  The notification of these latest cases does not change the overall risk assessment , which remains moderate at both the global and regional levels .  These cases show that the virus continues to pose a threat in countries where it is circulating in dromed...

  Influenza at the human-animal interface  Summary and risk assessment, from 6 November to 19 December 2025 {1} -- New human cases {1,2}:  - From 6 November to 19 December 2025, based on reporting date , the detection of influenza A( H5N1 ) in one human , A( H5N5 ) in one human , A( H9N2 ) in seven humans , and an influenza A( H1N1 ) variant virus in one human were reported officially.  - In addition , one human case of infection with an influenza A( H1N2 ) variant virus was detected.  -- 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 a...

  {Excerpt} Since 1997, more than 1000 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N1) have been reported in humans . During this time, A(H5N1) viruses have evolved into dozens of clades , showing ever-expanding phylogenetic diversification and geographical spread . Over the past 5 years, clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses have exhibited rapid global expansion in migratory birds, with spillover to an increasing range of marine and terrestrial mammalian species . Among these species are dairy cattle , not previously recognised as a permissive host for influenza A viruses (IAV), leading to widespread clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) outbreaks in herds in the USA and sporadic human infections linked with exposure to infected animals since March 2024. While person-to-person transmission has not been detected in the USA, the increased geographical distribution of and susceptibility of mammalian hosts to clade 2.3.4.4b A(H5N1) viruses has brought to the forefront a need to assess the pandemic risk ...

  Key points: -- The WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition ( TAG-CO-VAC ) held its twice-yearly decision-making meeting in December 2025 to review the evolution of SARS-CoV-2, the performance of currently approved COVID-19 vaccines and the implications for COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition. -- The objective of an update to COVID-19 vaccine antigen composition is to enhance vaccine-induced immune responses to circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants. -- Following this meeting, the TAG-CO-VAC advises vaccine manufacturers that monovalent LP.8.1 is the recommended vaccine antigen. -- The previously recommended JN.1 lineage (JN.1 or KP.2) antigens remain suitable alternatives and vaccination should not be delayed in anticipation of access to vaccines with the LP.8.1 composition. -- Other approaches that demonstrate broad and robust neutralizing antibody responses or efficacy against currently circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants could also be considered. -- Vaccination rema...