Timely and relevant global health security news curated by GCHS.
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Cyclosporiasis
USA Today: Lettuce-linked parasitic outbreak spreads. See map, more updates
An outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a parasitic infection known for causing explosive diarrhea that has been linked to recalled iceberg lettuce, has expanded to two additional states since early August, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Monday, August 17
Food Safety: FDA Begins Inspection at Taylor Farms Mexico as Official Cyclospora Outbreak Case Count Nears 10,000
On August 13, 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it had begun onsite inspections and sampling at Taylor Farms of Mexico, where the iceberg lettuce implicated in the ongoing multi-state cyclosporiasis outbreak was grown, in coordination with Mexican officials.
Monday, August 17
FOX4KC: Missouri sees rise of nearly 400 cyclosporiasis cases
Missouri is seeing another rise in cyclosporiasis cases, according to the latest data released on Sunday. The state is now reporting 1,950 cyclosporiasis cases, an increase from last week’s number of 1,577.
Monday, August 17
USA Today: Is lettuce safe to eat now? What to know amid cyclospora outbreak
An unprecedented outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a lettuce-linked parasitic infection known to cause debilitating diarrhea, has sickened more Americans than ever before, causing many consumers to avoid the produce aisle.
Monday, August 10
NBC News: Cyclosporiasis outbreak has expanded to six more states
The CDC’s planned update marks a significant expansion in the outbreak linked to shredded iceberg lettuce supplied by Taylor Farms.
Thursday, August 6
NPR: What Cyclospora does inside the gut and how it gets there
This summer, tiny Cyclospora parasites have wreaked havoc on the digestive systems of thousands of people in the U.S. It's the biggest outbreak of this parasite the U.S. has ever seen. In a July 28 update, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention counted 45 states reporting cases of cyclosporiasis — the disease caused by the parasite
Monday, August 3
Ebola Virus
DW: Congo's Ebola cases rising at record pace
The Ebola virus is spreading rapidly in the DRC. In Kinshasa, a city of millions, fears of a serious health crisis are growing. Hospitals are scrambling to prepare for emergencies as best as they can.
Monday, August 17
BBC: Ebola outbreak in DR Congo becomes deadliest in its history
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is now the deadliest in its history.
Monday, August 17
AP News: Congo says 2,000 people have died in history’s fastest-growing Ebola outbreak
At least 2,000 people have died in Congo’s Ebola outbreak, the fastest-growing on record, according to the latest data, as rebel conflict, bad roads and work stoppages over payment issues challenge the urgent response in a remote region.
Tuesday, August 11
ABC News: Ebola has killed 1,700 in eastern Congo as the fastest-growing outbreak surges
Ebola has killed more than 1,700 people in eastern Congo in the fastest-growing outbreak of the disease, data showed. As of Tuesday, 3,802 cases had been recorded, with 1,707 deaths, according to the latest government update.
Thursday, August 6
AfricaNews: Ebola crisis deepens in DR Congo as cases surge in hotspots
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is accelerating, with health officials warning that cases are doubling in some of the hardest-hit areas.
Thursday, August 6
Reuters: Why Congo's Ebola outbreak is spreading faster than previous epidemics
The Ebola epidemic in Democratic Republic of Congo is on track to surpass 4,000 cases this week and has been described as the fastest spreading on record since it was officially declared in May.
Thursday, August 6
Measles
Reuters: US CDC records more than 2,500 measles cases so far in 2026
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday there were 2,566 confirmed measles cases in the country so far this year, expanding the highest annual total in more than 35 years.
Monday, August 17
The Oregonian: Oregon measles cases reach new high for recent years as infections rise across Portland area
The number of measles cases in Oregon this year has reached new heights, surpassing the state’s total from the 2024 outbreak, with four months still left in the year.
Monday, August 17
MPR News: Wisconsin has first measles outbreak of 2026; 15 cases confirmed in SW part of the state
Wisconsin is experiencing its first outbreak of measles cases of the year, as part of a resurgence of the preventable disease across the country.
Monday, August 17
WTAJ: Measles cases on the rise across central Pennsylvania
State health officials are tracking a rise in measles cases across the Commonwealth, with new cases confirmed in Central Pennsylvania.
Tuesday, August 11
Global News: Canada’s measles cases are half of U.S. total, despite smaller population: WHO
Measles data from the World Health Organization show that Canada has half the number of confirmed cases as the United States, despite having a population only about one-tenth the size of its neighbour.
Monday, August 10
USA Today: Universal Studios Hollywood visitors may have been exposed to measles
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating a measles case involving an infected person who spent 11 hours at Universal Studios Hollywood last month.
Thursday, August 6
H5N1
The Sunday Guardian: H5N1 Virus Outbreak: ‘We Cannot Stop the Spread’ Australia’s Agriculture Minister Makes Candid Admission About Surging Bird Flu Cases
Julie Collins, the agriculture minister of Australia, has stated that not much can be done to limit the spread, despite the government's best efforts. Over 250 cases of the virus have been detected so far among birds in the country.
Monday, August 17
The Guardian: Bird flu has devastated wildlife around the world. What Australian birds are most at risk?
It’s uncertain how native populations might be affected by the deadly H5 strain but seagulls, pelicans and black swans are among those species that have experts worried.
Monday, August 17
NYT: New Zealand Is Racing to Vaccinate Its Endangered Birds Against Avian Flu
Conservation experts are trying to slow the march of the viral disease in a country that is home to rare and endangered bird species.
Thursday, August 6
CIDRAP: 4 new human H9N2 avian flu cases in China as Australia sees more H5N1 in wild birds
Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) is reporting four new cases of H9N2 avian flu on mainland China.
Thursday, August 6
Reuters: Australia confirms first mass death of seabirds from H5N1 bird flu
Australia warned on Monday against the risk of a wider spread of H5N1 bird flu after its first mass mortality episode among seabirds killed about 50 greater crested terns off the coast south of Adelaide.
Monday, August 3
Tick-Borne Illnesses
The Derrick: Tick populations grow in oil region
What to know about disease risks and prevention.
Monday, August 17
Hartford Courant: CT officials say tick testing submissions set new record with ‘concerning’ trend discovered
Officials with the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station said they have received nearly 5,200 tick submissions this year, setting a new record for the agency’s tick testing program.
Thursday, August 6
Axios: "Rabbit fever" suspected in New York as rare illness resurfaces
Three suspected cases of the rare tick-borne illness tularemia, also known as "rabbit fever," have been identified on Long Island, Suffolk County health officials said Monday.
Thursday, August 6
FOX: No cure, no vaccine: Experts warn of rare Bourbon virus after first NY case
A rarely diagnosed tick-borne virus with no vaccine or specific treatment has been confirmed in New York for the first time, prompting researchers to warn that additional infections may be going undiagnosed.
Monday, August 3
Dengue Fever
WUSF: Mosquito control ramps up as dengue fever cases rise in Hillsborough and Pinellas
Eight people in Hillsborough and two in Pinellas recently contracted the mosquito-borne illness locally, officials say. Both counties are under alerts. The disease is not endemic to the Tampa Bay region.
Monday, August 17
USA Today: Dengue alerts issued in these Florida locations. How to protect against mosquitoes
The Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County issued an alert for mosquito-borne illness on Aug. 3 in response to a recently confirmed case of "locally-acquired" dengue.
Thursday, August 6
Washington Post: Virginia reports its first locally acquired dengue case
Virginia health officials on Tuesday announced the state’s first documented case of locally acquired dengue, saying a resident who had not traveled outside Virginia was probably infected after being bitten by a mosquito that had previously bitten an infected traveler.
Thursday, August 6
West Nile Virus
KETV: First human West Nile virus case confirmed in Douglas County, health officials say
The Douglas County Health Department identified its first human case of West Nile virus this year. West Nile has been detected in mosquito pools across the county alread but this is the first case confirmed in a human.
Monday, August 17
CBS News: Orange County confirms first human West Nile virus case of 2026
Orange County Health Care Agency officials have confirmed the county's first human West Nile case of 2026, which some medical experts believe could be one of the worst mosquito seasons on record.
Thursday, August 6
WBOC: West Nile virus detected in Delaware for first time this year
Delaware has detected West Nile virus for the first time in 2026 after a sentinel chicken in eastern Kent County tested positive, state officials announced Wednesday.
Thursday, August 6
Salmonella
FOX Business: Granola sold nationwide on Amazon recalled over salmonella contamination fears
Granola marketed to breastfeeding mothers and sold nationwide is being recalled over concerns that it may be contaminated with salmonella.
Monday, August 17
USA Today: Check your fridge. H-E-B is recalling jalapeño products in Texas
H-E-B has issued a voluntary recall of more than 50 products containing jalapeños sold at Texas and Louisiana locations because of concerns about potential salmonella contamination.
Monday, August 17
FOX Business: FDA upgrades egg recall to highest risk level as salmonella sickens dozens across several states
Weeks after a recall was issued for more than 1.5 million cartons of one dozen eggs due to the risk of salmonella, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has upgraded the recall to the highest risk level.
Monday, August 17
Mpox
The Telegraph: Madagascar forced to divide and share mpox vaccine as epidemic takes off
Authorities in Madagascar are being forced to split single vaccines into fifths to try to protect as many people as possible during an ongoing mpox outbreak
Tuesday, August 11
County News Center: San Diego County Confirms First Clade I Mpox Case
The California Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that a San Diego County resident has Clade I mpox. County health officials say the patient likely contracted the virus while traveling internationally to an area where Clade I mpox is circulating.
Monday, August 10
Region 7 Infectious Disease Briefing
The GCHS in collaboration with the Region VII Disaster Health Response Ecosystem (R7DHRE) conducts biweekly meetings with local and state public health and healthcare representatives. These meetings focus on reviewing and discussing recent developments related to current infectious disease challenges. James V. Lawler, MD, MPH, FIDSA, presents comprehensive updates on data and advancements at local, state, national, and international levels. Additionally, regional experts offer insights into current outbreaks and clinical situations within Region 7.
To learn more and register for the briefings, visit our Health Emergencies page.