ETIDIOH - NEW

  {Excerpt} (...) Daily case figures -- The number of confirmed and probable cases can change when: - a case is laboratory confirmed - when the clinical assessment changes, including when new laboratory results are available - when further epidemiological information is available -- The figures in Table 1 cannot be used to identify the number of new confirmed or probable cases from one day to the next. This also applies to total cases. Table 1. Cases of invasive meningococcal disease linked to Canterbury, Kent by day from 16 March 2026 [Date - Total confirmed cases - Confirmed MenB cases (subset of total confirmed cases) - Probable cases - Total cases] * 23 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 20 - 3 - 23 * 22 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 19 - 9 - 29 * 21 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 19 - 9 - 29 * 20 March 2026 - 23 - 18 - 11 - 34 * 19 March 2026 - 18 - 13 - 11 - 29 * 18 March 2026 - 15 - 9 - 12 - 27 * 17 March 2026 - 9 - 6 - 11 - 20 * 16 March 2026 - [note 1] - 4 - [note 1] - 15 __ Note 1 : The...

  There is an observation of death of several numbers (30) of crows in the jungle of Tribhuvan University premises. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7387 ____

Frequent sightings of wild birds were reported in the vicinity of the farm. The farm comprises multiple poultry sheds having birds of different age (4-56 weeks) groups. On 15 March, a sudden mortality event occurred in one shed, where approximately 100 commercial layer birds died acutely. Since that incident, mortality has been observed across all sheds on the farm. Commercial Layers of various age (4-56 weeks) group affected since 15 March, 2026 and a large number of chicken appear slightly droopy or depressed, and die suddenly. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7386 ____

  {A black headed gull. By © Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5548312 } __ According to article 10.4.1.4 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code, Member Countries should not impose bans on the trade in poultry commodities in response to notification on the presence of any influenza A virus in birds other than poultry A wild black-headed gull. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7385 ____

  {Excerpt} (...) Daily case figures -- The number of confirmed and probable cases can change when: - a case is laboratory confirmed - when the clinical assessment changes, including when new laboratory results are available - when further epidemiological information is available -- The figures in Table 1 cannot be used to identify the number of new confirmed or probable cases from one day to the next. This also applies to total cases. Table 1. Cases of invasive meningococcal disease linked to Canterbury, Kent by day from 16 March 2026 [Date - Total confirmed cases - Confirmed MenB cases (subset of total confirmed cases) - Probable cases - Total cases] * 22 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 19 -9 - 29 * 21 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 19 - 9 - 29 * 20 March 2026 - 23 - 18 - 11 - 34 * 19 March 2026 - 18 - 13 - 11 - 29 * 18 March 2026 - 15 - 9 - 12 - 27 * 17 March 2026 - 9 - 6 - 11 - 20 * 16 March 2026 - [note 1] - 4 - [note 1] - 15 __ Note 1 : The distinction between a confirmed case and a p...

{Excerpt} (...) Table 1. Cases of invasive meningococcal disease linked to Canterbury, Kent by day from 16 March 2026 [Date - Total confirmed cases - Confirmed MenB cases (subset of total confirmed cases) - Probable cases - Total cases] * 21 March 2026 - 20 [note 2] - 19 - 9 - 29 {-5}  * 20 March 2026 - 23 - 18 - 11 - 34 {+5}  * 19 March 2026 - 18 - 13 - 11 - 29 {+2} * 18 March 2026 - 15 - 9 - 12 - 27 {+7} * 17 March 2026 - 9 - 6 - 11 - 20 {+5} * 16 March 2026 - [note 1] - 4 - [note 1] - 15 __ Note 1 : The distinction between a confirmed case and a probable case was not reported Note 2 : A case initially classified as a confirmed case may be reclassified or discarded when further laboratory results and clinical information is available, that is: -  where there are other negative results, for example, reference unit results  and  -  where there is an alternative diagnosis or where the clinical picture is no longer consistent with meningococcal infection The ...

  Overview -- The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has been investigating an invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) outbreak first detected in March 2026. -- This release provides an up-to-date count of confirmed or probable notified cases connected to the incident, and will be updated regularly. -- Case numbers will be recorded at 12:30pm each day, and will include only those defined as either confirmed or probable. These figures will be published the following day at 9:30am. -- As this is a live incident, there will be additional suspected cases notified to UKHSA , which need to be actively investigated. These will not be reported until the investigation determines that they should be included as either confirmed or probable cases, or discarded as not related to the incident. -- Case counts attached to the incident are provisional and subject to change (upwards or downwards) as intelligence about their connection to the incident improves, clinical assessment changes, or further mi...

{Summary) Risk statement -- This WHO Rapid Risk Assessment (RRA, v2) aims to assess the risk of diphtheria at the regional level , considering the public health impact , the risk of geographical spread and the risk of insufficient control capacities with available resources.  -- Diphtheria is a major public health problem in the WHO African Region (AFR) despite significant efforts on immunization in the past decades (e.g. introduction of DTP vaccine in the Expanded Program on Immunisation in 1974).  -- Between 2000 and 2024, 75 789 diphtheria suspected cases were reported across the Region with an average 3 500 cases per year .     -- Between the beginning of 2025 and as of 1 March 2026 , over 29 000 suspected diphtheria cases with 1 420 deaths ( CFR 4.9% ) have been reported across these eight countries: Algeria, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania , Niger, Nigeria and South.  -- This represents a 67% increase in the number of suspected cases (11 749 additional...

Weekly epidemiological record   20 MARCH 2026, 101th YEAR, No 12, 2026, 101, 53–56 http://www.who.int/wer   Executive Summary   The WHO Expert Working Group on Surveillance of Influenza Antiviral Susceptibility (AVWG) supports the WHO GISRS by providing practical guidance for monitoring antiviral susceptibility of seasonal and emerging influenza viruses through global surveillance efforts .  The 14th WHO-AVWG meeting was held in virtual format on 10-12 June 2025 .  Update on susceptibility of seasonal influenza viruses to approved antiviral agents   From approximately May 2024 to May 2025 , five WHO Collaborating Centres (CCs) and two National Influenza Centres (NICs) reported co-circulation of influenza A(H1N1) pdm09, A(H3N2), and B/Victoria viruses.  A(H1N1)pdm09 dominated in Eastern Asia {1}. Elevated frequency of influenza neuraminidase (NA) inhibitor (NAI) reduced inhibition/ highly reduced inhibition (RI/HRI) was identified among A(H1N1)pdm09 vir...

  {Excerpt} Time Period: March 08, 2026 - March 14, 2026 -- H5 Detection :  8 site(s) ( 1.8% ) -- No Detection :  444 site(s) ( 98.2% ) -- No samples in last week :  120 site(s) (...) Source:  Link:  https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/wwd-h5.html ____

  The Meningitis B vaccine will now be offered to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak . -- Vaccination will now be extended to everyone who has been offered preventative antibiotic treatment as part of this outbreak. -- Preventative antibiotics – and vaccination – will also now be offered to the 6th form students ( years 12 and 13 ) in schools and colleges in Kent where confirmed or probable cases are identified. -- On a case-by-case basis, future risk assessment may also support use in other year groups or settings. -- Students can, and should, continue to attend schools and colleges as normal.  -- The NHS Kent and Medway website will be updated shortly with vaccination sites for those eligible. -- The key intervention to protect people and halt the spread remains for people to come forward for antibiotic treatment . A single course of antibiotics is highly effective in preventing the contraction and spread of this disease ...

  By USFWS Mountain-Prairie - Canada goose on Seedskadee NWR, Public Domain,  https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=69188087 ___ A wild Canada Goose in Etelä-Suomen aluehallintovirasto Region. Source:  Link:  https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/7384 ____

  The Public Health Agency (PHA) is aware of a probable case of Bacterial Meningitis in a pupil who attends a secondary school in Belfast .  All appropriate public health actions have been completed. As a precaution, PHA has worked closely with the school and has issued information to parents and guardians.  Relevant guidance has also been shared with GP Out-of-Hours services and Emergency Departments.   All individuals identified as close contacts have been risk assessed and where appropriate, have received antibiotic prophylaxis .  We urge students, staff and families to remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of meningitis and act fast if they suspect they may have it. Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include :  - a high temperature (fever) over 37.5C (99.5F) - being sick - a headache - a blotchy rash that doesn't fade when a glass is rolled over it (this won't always develop) - a stiff neck - a dislike of bright lights - drowsines...

  Invasive meningococcal disease: advice for the NHS in England You may be aware of an evolving situation involving multiple cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) reported among young people linked to the University of Kent and the Canterbury area .  More information about IMD , signs and symptoms to look out for, and approaches to clinical and public health management are provided in the accompanying Briefing Note .  The purpose of this CAS Alert is to outline priority steps that primary care and hospital clinicians should consider taking to manage suspected cases, potential contacts of cases, and to reduce the risk of infection spreading.  Note that this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will update advice as further information emerges. Epidemiology -- Between 13 and 17 March 2026, UKHSA identified 20 cases of invasive meningococcal disease in the South East .  -- Six cases have been confirmed as Neisseria meningitidis group B .  -- Most cas...

{Bântéay Méanchey, Preah Netr Preah }  On 12 March 2026, the outbreak investigation team visited a backyard chicken farm following reports of illness and mortality suspected to be caused by Avian Influenza (AI). During the visit, deaths of wild birds were also observed in the area. A total of six chicken samples were collected and submitted to NAHPRI/GDAHP for testing of Avian Influenza (H5N1). Laboratory results confirmed on 16 March 2026 that 4 out of 6 chicken samples tested positive for Avian Influenza (H5N1 ). In addition, 13 wild bird carcasses were collected and submitted for laboratory testing. On 16 March 2026, all wild bird samples were confirmed positive for Avian Influenza (H5N1). {Bântéay Méanchey, Serei Saophoan}  On 25 January 2026 , the outbreak investigation team visited a backyard chicken farm following reports of illness and mortality suspected to be caused by Avian Influenza (AI). Two chicken samples were collected and submitted to NAHPRI/GDAHP for tes...