The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported 80 new West Nile virus (WNV) positive human cases reported in the state last week from the following counties: Fresno (2), Glenn (1), Los Angeles (59), Orange (11), Riverside (1), San Joaquin (1), Stanislaus (3), Tulare (1), and Yolo (1).

This brings the total human cases in California to 378 from 24 counties. This number accounts for 25.7 percent of the total WNV cases in the United States (1471).

23 WNV-related fatalities have been reported to CDPH this year from 9 jurisdictions: Butte (3), Glenn (2), Kings (1), Los Angeles (6), Orange (5), Sacramento (2), Stanislaus (1), Tuolumne (1), and Yolo (2).

Florida reports 72 additional local dengue cases in past week

Of the 378 case patients, 321 (85%) had neuroinvasive disease. The median age of case patients was 66 years and 254 (67%) of the case patients were male.

In Los Angeles County, the Department of Public Health has documented 249 West Nile virus (WNV) human infections and 12 deaths.

West Nile virus in the US: 20 years ago in NYC

The 378 cases statewide this year is higher than 59 cases reported in 2025 and the 110 case 5 year average.

West Nile virus is the most common and serious vector-borne disease in California. There have been more than 8,000 human cases and over 400 deaths reported in California since 2003. The mosquitoes that spread WNV are found throughout the state.

Rift Valley fever

The Mauritania Ministry of Health reports one confirmed case of Rift Valley fever (RVF) at the end of September in a 20-year-old male student from Tidra, Traza region.

The case presented at the hospital with hemorrhagic fever symptoms and was transferred to the Infectious Disease Department at the National Hospital Center.

On October 8, confirmation for RVF was performed using ELISA and PCR.

He was discharged last week.

Rift Valley Fever is mosquito-borne virus that is endemic in parts of Africa. It primarily infects animals like sheep, cattle and goats and it can have an economic impact on a community due to the loss of livestock.

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Humans get infected through contact with infected animal blood or organs. Butchering and slaughtering of animals is a primary cause of transmission to humans. Certain occupations are at a higher risk of getting Rift Valley Fever like farmers, herders and veterinarians.

It can also be transmitted to humans through mosquito bites and the bites of blood-sucking flies.

Animal Viruses and Humans, a Narrow Divide: How Lethal Zoonotic Viruses Spill Over and Threaten Us

Most cases of Rift Valley Fever are mild and symptoms include fever, headaches and muscle pain. However, a small percentage of people can get serious disease which includes retinitis, encephalitis and a hemorrhagic fever. Fatalities happen in less than 1 percent of those infected.

Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic fever

Health officials also reported a confirmed Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) also from the Traza region. This is the second CCHF case reported this year, and one death reported this year from the Traza region.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever is a widespread disease caused by a tick-borne virus (Nairovirus) of the Bunyaviridae family. The CCHF virus causes severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of 10–40%.

Animals become infected by the bite of infected ticks and the virus remains in their bloodstream for about one week after infection, allowing the tick-animal-tick cycle to continue when another tick bites. Although a number of tick genera are capable of becoming infected with CCHF virus, ticks of the genus Hyalomma are the principal vector.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever 101

The CCHF virus is transmitted to people either by tick bites or through contact with infected animal blood or tissues during and immediately after slaughter. The majority of cases have occurred in people involved in the livestock industry, such as agricultural workers, slaughterhouse workers and veterinarians. Human-to-human transmission is possible.

In Italy, from January 1 to October 13, 2026, the national surveillance system coordinated by the ISS has recorded the following:

• 357 confirmed cases of dengue: 70 of these are autochthonous, while all other cases are associated with travel abroad (52% with exposure in the Maldives), no deaths. The autochthonous cases are attributable to 5 local transmission outbreaks and 1 additional case which, at the current state of investigations, does not appear to be epidemiologically linked to other cases.

• 30 confirmed cases of chikungunya: 1 of these cases has been identified as autochthonous, while all the others are associated with travel abroad (34% with exposure in the Seychelles), no deaths.

• 4 cases of Zika virus: all associated with travel abroad, no deaths.

• The weekly bulletin for West Nile virus records 770 confirmed cases of West Nile virus (WNV) infection in humans (754 in the previous report), of which 411 were neuroinvasive (including 5 imported cases: 1 from the Maldives, 1 from France, 1 from Belgium, 1 from Greece, and 1 from the Netherlands), 96 asymptomatic cases identified in blood donors, 257 cases of fever (1 imported case from Burkina Faso), 5 cases with other symptoms, and 1 asymptomatic case.
  
  Of the confirmed cases, 61 deaths have been reported (including one imported case). The case fatality rate, calculated on the autochthonous neuroinvasive forms reported and confirmed so far, is 14.8% (18.8% in the same period in 2025). Last year, in the same period, 767 cases were reported with 69 deaths.
  
  The number of provinces with proven WNV circulation across 20 regions has risen to 88.

• In the same period, 18 cases of Usutu virus were reported (8 in Lombardy, 1 in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, 1 in Emilia-Romagna, 2 in Marche, 3 in Lazio, 1 in Piedmont, and 2 in Veneto).

The Peru Ministry of Health (MINSA) issued an epidemiological alert regarding the health risks associated with the 2026-2027 El Niño phenomenon, which could cause heavy rains, flooding, and difficulties in accessing safe water—conditions that favor the spread of various diseases in the country.

The alert aims to strengthen epidemiological surveillance and the response capacity of public and private health facilities.

Epidemiological data highlight the importance of reinforcing preventive measures due to the increase in dengue fever, leptospirosis, diarrhea, malaria, and measles.

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As of epidemiological week 40 of 2026, the country had registered 71,256 cases of dengue fever, a 122% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Additionally, 1,159,363 episodes of acute diarrheal diseases (ADD) were reported, an 11.3% increase compared to the previous year. These diseases can worsen when rains and floods contaminate water sources or disrupt sanitation services.

Leptospirosis, with 13,235 reported cases, represents an 85.5% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This infection can be transmitted through contact with water or soil contaminated with the urine of infected animals, especially rodents. The alert also includes malaria and measles infections.

As part of the alert, MINSA is strengthening disease surveillance, early case detection, laboratory diagnostic capacity, and the availability of medicines, supplies, and trained personnel.

Prevention and control measures for mosquitoes, testing, vaccination promotion, and coordination with regional and local governments to protect at-risk communities will also be reinforced.

MINSA recommends the following measures for the public to reduce the risk of illness:

• Avoid mosquito breeding grounds: eliminate standing water in containers, cover water tanks, and keep living spaces clean.

• Drink safe water: use potable or disinfected water and keep it stored in clean, covered containers.

• Avoid contact with floodwaters: these can contain dangerous microorganisms. If contact is unavoidable, wear protective boots and gloves.

• Maintain good hygiene: wash your hands with safe water and soap, especially before preparing or eating food and after using the toilet.

• Complete vaccinations: Ensure that children and other family members are up to date on their vaccinations. In priority areas, administer the dengue vaccine doses recommended by healthcare professionals. (Ages 10-20: In Tumbes, Piura, Loreto, Ucayali, and Áncash. Ages 10-16: In Lambayeque, La Libertad, San Martín, and Metropolitan Lima (specifically in San Juan de Lurigancho, Huáscar area, at the Huáscar II and Huáscar XV health centers).

• Seek medical attention promptly: If you experience fever, persistent diarrhea, difficulty breathing, or other warning signs.

• Avoid self-medication.

Nigeria

Nigeria health officials report a confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, according to local media.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate said, “A woman who recently arrived in Nigeria on an international flight from Uganda, was admitted to a private hospital in the FCT, where she received treatment for several days before the diagnosis was confirmed.”

Ebola outbreak update as of October 18

She is currently in isolation and receiving medical care.

Contact tracing had commenced with 44 close contacts identified.

Kenya

The Kenya Ministry of Health has confirmed nine Ebola cases, all within one known cluster. Eight patients are improving, and 134 of 135 contacts have been traced and quarantined. There is no evidence of transmission outside the group.

From the beginning of the year through October 4, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reports 1,138 confirmed Lassa fever cases in 24 states. This is a 23 percent increase in cases compared to the same period in 2025.

Of these confirmed cases, 268 deaths were recorded. This is a 23.6 percent case fatality rate. It is also an 56 percent increase in deaths compared to the same period last year.

In total for 2026, 24 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 119 Local Government Areas.

It’s not just COVID-19: Outbreaks of Lassa fever, plague and monkeypox

Eighty-eight percent (88%) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from 5 states (Ondo, Bauchi, Taraba, Edo and Benue) while twelve percent (12%) were reported from 19 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 88% confirmed cases, Ondo reported 36%, Bauchi 23%, Taraba 12%, Edo 11% and Benue 6%.

54 cases were reported in healthcare workers.

Lassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus, an arenavirus endemic to parts of West Africa (including Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea).

The virus is carried by the Mastomys natalensis (multimammate rat), which sheds the virus in its urine and droppings.

People contract the virus by eating or breathing in dust contaminated with rat urine or droppings, touching contaminated objects, or getting the virus into open cuts.

It can spread between people through direct contact with infected bodily fluids (blood, urine, feces, or semen), most commonly in healthcare settings lacking proper personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Symptoms typically appear 1 to 3 weeks after infection.

• Mild Symptoms (about 80% of cases): Slight fever, fatigue, weakness, and headache.

• Severe Symptoms (about 20% of cases): High fever, vomiting, facial swelling, bleeding from body orifices or gums, chest/back/abdominal pain, respiratory distress, and shock.

According to the 15th Outbreak Situation Reports published October 15, from August 15 to October 15, 501 specimens were tested (Majuro 411, Ebeye 90) and 156 positive cases, confirmed and probable (Majuro 124, Ebeye 32).

This is an increase of 21 cases from the 137 cases reported on 05 October.

The positivity has fallen to 30% in Majuro and 36% in Ebeye. No deaths have been reported. Cumulative hospitalisations rose to thirteen.

The attack rate is 5.4 per 1,000 in Majuro and 3.3 per 1,000 in Ebeye. Only DENV-1 has been detected. Vector control has been completed at the households of positive cases, 26 schools and 60 churches have been sprayed, and surveillance is being strengthened on the neighbouring islands. On 08 October 2026, the Cabinet declared a state of disaster for El Niño and the dengue outbreak.

According to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and as of October 18, 97 new confirmed cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported across three provinces: North Kivu (48 cases), Ituri (42 cases), and Haut-Uélé (7 cases).

Among these, 30 community deaths were recorded. Additionally, 11 confirmed deaths were registered in Ebola Treatment Centers (ETCs)—6 in Ituri, 4 in North Kivu, and 1 in Haut-Uélé—bringing the total number of confirmed deaths reported during this period to 41.

Emerging Infectious Diseases and Global Health Security

Furthermore, 20 patients (12 in Ituri, 7 in North Kivu, and 1 in Tshopo) have been declared recovered, following two consecutive negative EVD test results.

Since the beginning of the outbreak, the DRC has recorded a cumulative total of 9,552 confirmed cases and 4,602 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 48.2%. Ituri remains the epicenter of the outbreak, accounting for 72.9% of all cumulative confirmed cases and 43.3% of the new confirmed cases reported over the last 24 hours.

To date, 66 out of 178 health zones (37.1%), spread across eight provinces, have been affected since the start of the outbreak.

The Florida Department of Health in Citrus County (DOH-Citrus) reports two confirmed cases of locally-acquired dengue.

DOH-Citrus and Citrus County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention efforts by conducting treatment such as increased truck fogging, aerial larviciding and localized ground inspections for breeding locations.

As of October 10, 368 locally acquired dengue cases were reported in the state. Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay area account for the bulk of the cases (Citrus County is included in broader definitions of the Tampa Bay region, though it is not part of the core metropolitan statistical area).

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DOH-Citrus reminds the community to avoid mosquito bites by taking basic precautions:

• Wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites. Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants.

• Apply insect repellents that are registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to exposed skin and clothing. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• Control mosquitoes inside and outside. Repair damaged screening on windows, doors, porches, and patios. Drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected.

The Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) reports an ongoing measles outbreak in the commonwealth, where cases are up some 1,238 percent compared to 2025.

Through October 19, health officials report 174 confirmed measles cases (13 reported in 2025), in fact, Kentucky has only seen 17 cases in the past 15 years.

Ten patients required hospitalization for their illness. Of the 174 cases, 172 were unvaccinated or had unknown status, 1 had one MMR dose, and one was fully vaccinated.

Counties reporting the most cases include Laurel County (56), Christian County (53) and Trigg County (31), accounting for 80 percent of the state’s cases.

Measles is a highly contagious respiratory virus that can cause serious health complications, especially in young children. Measles is spread through the air, where it can remain for up to two hours. The best way to protect against measles is through the MMR vaccine. Receiving two doses of MMR vaccine is 97% effective against measles.

Related news:

Ohio: Measles cases up big in 2026

Measles cases in Wisconsin rise to 288

Pakistani health officials have confirmed the seventh polio case of 2026 for Pakistan from Karachi East District in Sindh.

The affected child is a six-month-old male from Union Council Jamali Colony of Karachi East.

The last case from Karachi was reported in December 2024.

Of this year’s 7 reported cases, five are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (four from southern KP alone) and two are from Sindh.

Despite an overall decline in wild poliovirus transmission, Karachi has continued to report environmental detections throughout the year, indicating that ongoing transmission remains a real threat for children.

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In 2026, Pakistan has already implemented four large-scale polio campaigns, protecting more than 45 million children multiple times, alongside smaller targeted oral and injectable vaccination campaigns in high-risk areas. In September, a subnational campaign protected over 29.3 million children across the country, while the next vaccination round is scheduled from November 2-8 to protect nearly 24 million in 97 districts, including all districts of Karachi.

Thanks to polio vaccines—which are safe and effective—Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8 percent, from an estimated 20,000 cases in the early 1990s to 31 in 2025, and 7 so far this year.

Pakistan (7) and Afghanistan (36) are the only two countries in the world where the wild poliovirus remains present.

Related news:

Bangladesh battles massive outbreaks of dengue and measles

Sri Lanka: Dengue cases top 100,000 for 2026

Bhutan: Achievements with malaria, dog-mediated human rabies

From the beginning of the year through the end of September, the Dominican Republic Ministry of Health reported 279 confirmed cases of leptospirosis in the country—an increase of 96.5% over the same period in 2025, when there were 142 cases.

In 2026, the most affected provinces are Puerto Plata (75 cases), Santo Domingo (39), Peravia (17), Santiago (16), the National District (14), Espaillat (14), La Vega (12), and Duarte (11). Puerto Plata accounted for 26.9% of the national total of confirmed cases.

Leptospirosis in New York City

Furthermore, there were 13 deaths related to the disease in 2025 and 20 in 2026, representing an increase of 53.8%. These deaths occurred in the National District (2 deaths), La Romana (2), Puerto Plata (2), San Cristóbal (2), Santo Domingo (2), Duarte (1), Espaillat (1), Hermanas Mirabal (1), Monseñor Nouel (1), Monte Cristi (1), San José de Ocoa (1), Sánchez Ramírez (1), Santiago (1), Santiago Rodríguez (1), and Valverde (1).

The case fatality rate for 2025 was 9.2%, while for 2026 it is 7.2%.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease that requires immediate mandatory reporting due to its endemic nature and its potential to trigger outbreaks—particularly in settings influenced by environmental factors such as heavy rainfall and flooding. For this reason, the disease remains under continuous epidemiological surveillance throughout the year, ensuring the timely detection of cases, the early identification of unusual events, and the immediate implementation of prevention and control measures.

Colorado state health officials have confirmed a case of measles in a Jefferson County resident.

The confirmed case involves an adult with unknown vaccination status. While the source of exposure is still under investigation, the individual was likely exposed during travel, not in Colorado.

Based on available information, anyone who visited the locations at the listed dates and times may have been exposed to measles:

This is the 26th measles case reported in Colorado this year to date. Lake County has seen six cases, while five cases have been reported from Adams, Broomfield and Weld counties.

Of the 26 cases, 22 were unvaccinated, 2 received just one dose and the status of two cases are unknown.

According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), an additional 27 cases were reported since the last month, bringing the total to 1,030 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England through October 12.

50% (520/1030) of these cases have been in London, 16% (162/1030) in the West Midlands, and 11% (111/1030) in the North West. However, all regions have reported at least one confirmed case with symptom onset since January 2026

This is higher than the 958 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in 2025.

In 2024, there were 2,911 laboratory confirmed measles cases in England, the highest number of cases recorded annually in decades.

According to the South Africa National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), 26 laboratory-confirmed mpox cases have been reported in the country as of October 17.

The geographic distribution of the cases is: Eastern Cape [n=2], Free State [n=2], Gauteng [n=3], KwaZulu-Natal [n=1], and Western Cape [n=18].

The first two cases reported in the Western Cape were imported (one German and one Norwegian national, both visiting South Africa at the time of identification), while the rest of the 24 cases reported nationally were linked to local transmission.

Twenty-five cases were male, and the age range of all cases was 23-50 years. Thirteen cases were associated with Clade Ib mpox virus, while four cases were confirmed to be Clade Ilb mpox virus.

Emerging Infectious Diseases and Global Health Security

In South Africa, mpox was first detected in 2022 during the peak of the multi-country outbreak, with 5 confirmed cases associated with the Clade IIb (sub-lineage B.1.7) MPXV. Three of the cases had a travel history to countries with ongoing outbreaks. No cases were reported for 2023 in South Africa. During 2023, marked decrease in number of cases were noted globally.

From May – August 2024, 25 confirmed cases were reported, including three deaths. These cases were associated with the Clade IIb (sub-lineage B.1.20) MPXV. All but one case identified during 2024 had no travel history outside of South Africa prior to developing mpox.

During 2025, a total of 15 cases of mpox were diagnosed. These cases involved 13 cases associated with the CladeIb mpox virus, with the remaining two cases involving Clade IIb. These cases were found in Gauteng (n=8), KwaZulu Natal (n=5), North West (n=1) and Western Cape (n=1) provinces. No deaths were recorded among these cases.

The Ohio Department of Health has reported 252 measles cases across 23 counties so far in 2026.

The 252 confirmed cases in 2026 to date is a 460% increase compared to the 45 total cases reported in all of 2025.

Counties reporting the most cases include Geauga (52), Wayne (45), Ashtabula (44), and Harrison (18).

The vast majority of infected individuals are unvaccinated, and the state's kindergarten MMR vaccination rate has dipped below target herd-immunity thresholds.

On Friday, Manitoba Public Health declared the measles outbreak in the province over.

Since February 2025, Manitoba has had 1,038 reported measles cases (931 confirmed and 107 probable cases).

There were 52 measles-related hospitalizations, including six intensive care unit admissions, in Manitoba during the outbreak, the provincial government said.

Eighty-seven per cent of Manitoba’s measles cases during the outbreak involved people who were either not vaccinated against the disease or had an unknown immunization status, according to the province.

Prior to 2025, the last case of measles in Manitoba was in 2019 and associated with travel.

In Canada, a large multijurisdictional measles outbreak began in October 2024 in New Brunswick. Subsequently, measles spread to other provinces, including Manitoba in 2025. The outbreak persisted for over 12 months, primarily within under-vaccinated communities, and Canada subsequently lost its Measles Elimination Status.

Nassau County health officials are reporting the second confirmed case of measles in the county this year.

The patient is an unvaccinated man over the age of 50, and health officials say others may have been exposed.

Anyone who visited the hallways, lobbies, or other common areas of these buildings on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during the listed times may have been exposed:

- 1991 Marcus Avenue, New Hyde Park, 8:39 AM–12:14 PM

- 173 Froehlich Farm Boulevard, Woodbury, 12:39 PM–2:44 PM

- 825 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, 3:03 PM–5:14 PM

- 611 Northern Boulevard, Great Neck, 4:05 PM–6:11 PM

Anyone who develops symptoms of measles should call their health care provider before seeking care so steps can be taken to protect others.

The MMR vaccine is the best protection against measles. Individuals unsure of their immunity should speak with their healthcare provider.

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Dengue fever

According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) in Dhaka, at least six dengue patients died and 2,088 others were hospitalised in the past 24 hours, bringing the total cases and deaths to 112,400 and 348, respectively.

September has been the deadliest month of the year so far, logging 43,774 hospital admissions and 148 deaths.

Significant outbreaks are hitting the Dhaka area and the Chattogram, Khulna, and Barishal divisions due to high population density and inadequate waste management.

Typically a monsoon-season illness (June to September), dengue transmission in Bangladesh is increasingly shifting and extending into late autumn due to unseasonal rains and climate shifts.

Currently, 6,026 dengue patients are undergoing treatment at hospitals across the country.

Bangladesh’s record dengue fever season in 2023 with Dr. Md Rafiul Hasan

Measles

The large measles outbreak in Bangladesh has yet to be contained. Sonce mid-March, the country reported 203,000 suspected measles cases, including 23,000 confirmed cases have been reported.

At least 1,196 people have died, with children under five accounting for 94% of reported deaths.

National routine immunization coverage dropped below the 95% threshold required for herd immunity—falling to about 86% in 2025.

The decline was driven by political instability, administrative overhauls, healthcare disruptions following the end of long-standing political leadership in 2024, and funding challenges.

Intensified nationwide campaigns have been deployed to reach millions of unimmunized children, though overwhelmed hospitals and persistent transmission continue to challenge containment.

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Today, the Director-General for Health in the Ministry of Health in Kenya, Dr. Patrick Amoth said 38 people were tested, and one tested positive for Ebola. He is a 49-year-old man who is not a healthcare worker. He developed fever, headache and muscle pain.

This brings the Ebola total in Kenya to eight.