ETIDIOH - NEW

  10 December 2025 Situation at a glance Seasonal influenza (‘the flu’) is an acute respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses that circulate globally and year-round.  It can cause illness ranging from mild to severe , sometimes resulting in hospitalization or death.  Seasonal influenza activity has increased globally in recent months, with an increased proportion of seasonal influenza A(H3N2) viruses being detected.  This rise coincides with the onset of winter in the northern hemisphere and an increase in acute respiratory infections caused by influenza and other respiratory viruses typically observed at this time of year.  Although global activity remains within expected seasonal ranges , early increases and higher activity than typical at this time of year have been observed in some regions.  Seasonal influenza viruses, including A(H3N2) viruses, continually evolve over time.  Since August 2025, there has been a rapid increase of A(H3N2) J.2...

Abstract On 08 December 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported an outbreak of Disease X in the Panzi Health Zone, Kwango province, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This unknown pathogen , with 406 cases and 31 deaths at the time of its declaration, predominantly affects children under 5 years. Disease X, hypothesised to be a zoonotic ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus , poses significant challenges because of limited healthcare infrastructure, gaps in risk communication and ineffective community engagement . This opinion article aims to explore these challenges and advocate for the urgent need for culturally tailored, inclusive communication strategies that foster trust and empower local communities in responding to outbreaks. Key approaches highlighted include mobilising local leaders, utilising mobile laboratories for decentralised diagnostics and improving sample collection techniques. Drawing on lessons from previous epidemics, such as COVID-19 and Ebola, this article ...