Building the Future of Biodefense
Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
ADVISORY
New Zealand reports an uptick in whooping cough activity
09/10/2025
New Zealand
Recommendation: Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is highly contagious; a single case in the workplace can infect 15 others. The average worker absenteeism for whooping cough is 6 days. Organizations in New Zealand should provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members.
Situation: New Zealand reported an uptick in whooping cough cases and hospitalizations in the most recent 4-week period of data spanning the end of July to the end of August 2025. There were 204 cases and 18 hospitalizations in that period, higher than the 125 cases and 9 hospitalizations in the previous 4-week period. New Zealand declared a national whooping cough epidemic in November 2024, which began on 10/19/2024 and peaked in December before steadily declining for a total of 2,933 cases, 259 hospitalizations, and 1 death, as of 8/22. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Mpox cases rise in California's San Francisco Bay Area and Alameda County
09/10/2025
California, San Francisco CountyCalifornia, Alameda County
Recommendation: Employers can support employees in obtaining mpox vaccinations by providing flexible work schedules. Information on the availability of mpox vaccines and treatment can also be included in employee wellness communication.
Situation: California health officials reported an increase in clade 2 mpox cases, predominantly in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alameda County also recorded a 4-fold increase in mpox cases since July 2025. In August 2025, California saw an average of 13 mpox cases per week (compared to 7.9 and 4 cases per week in July and June, respectively). Most cases occurred among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men. While the increase has mostly occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area, the spread is linked to travel between counties and sexual exposure associated with attending clubs, parties, and similar events. [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
Measles cases linked to Utah High School Cycling League event
09/10/2025
United States of America, UtahUtah, Wasatch County
Recommendation: Organizations in Utah should inform employees about the possible measles exposure and provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members. Measles is highly contagious and can quickly spread among unvaccinated individuals in a work environment.
Situation: Utah health officials confirmed that several measles infections were linked to a Utah High School Cycling League event held at Soldier Hollow on 8/16. The event was attended by about 2,000 people. Health officials are working with the league to notify affected families and will be monitoring for further cases from this and other related events. Exposed individuals should monitor for measles symptoms (7-21 days from exposure). [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
The US CDC issues a Level 1 travel advisory due to Ebola outbreak in the DRC
09/09/2025
United States of AmericaDemocratic Republic of the Congo, Kasai Province
Recommendation: PHC recommends reviewing and updating business continuity plans to prepare for high-consequence infectious disease threats. PHC will monitor the event and provide updates as needed. Enhanced health screenings at ports of entry in the DRC and other countries in the region may lead to travel delays. The US State Department lists the DRC under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory.
Situation: The US CDC issued a Level 1: Practice Usual Precautions travel health advisory due to the Ebola outbreak in Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Level 1 advisory recommends that anyone traveling to Bulape or Mweka Health Zones should avoid contact with sick people who have fever, muscle pain, and rash symptoms, avoid contact with bats, forest antelopes, and nonhuman primates, as well as raw meat from those animals or unknown animals, and avoid going into areas where bats live. The ERVEBO vaccine is available for individuals in select occupations, and travel insurance is recommended for all. According to the most recent data from the DRC, the outbreak stands at 42 cases, including 15 deaths. 157 contacts were identified, of which 19% were followed up. Media sources reported that a lockdown was implemented for Bulape to prevent further spread of the disease, particularly to the provincial capital, by limiting population movement. See PHC alerts on 9/8, 9/.5, 9/4, and 9/3 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Myanmar comprises over 90% of all malaria cases in the Great Mekong Subregion, in most recent data
09/09/2025
CambodiaMyanmarChina, Yunnan ShengThailandLaosVietnam
Recommendation: Malaria is endemic in the Greater Mekong Subregion, though significant progress has been made in pursuit of the region's goal of achieving disease elimination by 2030. Organizations in the Greater Mekong Subregion can support mosquito control measures at their facilities by eliminating standing water. Employees visiting countries in the region should prevent mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent, and consult with their healthcare provider before departure about malaria prevention and treatment.
Situation: There were 73,029 malaria cases reported across regions in the Great Mekong subregion during quarter 2 of 2025, a 10% decline in cases compared to the same time in 2024. The testing rate also declined by 7%. The Great Mekong subregion includes: Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Yunnan Province of China. Myanmar comprised the majority of malaria cases for the region, with 66,605 cases (91%), of which most were P. vivax. Declines in cases compared to last year were observed at a national level in Cambodia and Vietnam, while Laos and Thailand reported increases, albeit slight for Thailand. No locally acquired malaria cases were detected in Yunnan Province in quarter 2. [Confidence: Very High]
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