Timely and relevant global health security news curated by GCHS.
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Cyclosporiasis
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
Today: Cyclospora Outbreak 2026 Foods to Avoid and Map as 45 States Hit With Parasite Cases
A massive outbreak of the “explosive diarrhea parasite” cyclospora has been linked to shredded lettuce. Where are cases rising, and what are the other possible sources?
Monday, August 3
CNN: First deaths reported in cyclosporiasis outbreak
Two people in Michigan have died in connection with the outbreak of cyclosporiasis, health officials reported Monday. These are the first known deaths related to the multi-state outbreak of explosive diarrhea in the United States.
Monday, August 3
Ebola Virus
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
BBC: Current Ebola outbreak worst ever in DR Congo, WHO says
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is the biggest in the country's history, the World Health Organization (WHO) has said. As of 30 July, there were 3,605 confirmed cases including 1,587 deaths – a fatality rate of 44%.
Monday, August 3
Measles
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
Think Global Health: Visualizing Bangladesh's Massive Measles Outbreak
Policy failures in Bangladesh dismantled decades of progress toward eliminating measles, creating the conditions for the explosive 2026 outbreak
Thursday, August 6
Columbus Dispatch: Ohio reports 3rd measles outbreak of 2026; US cases hit 35-year high
Ohio reports its third measles outbreak of 2026 in Ashtabula and Tuscarawas Counties as cases nationwide hit a 35-year high.
Monday, August 3
H5N1
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
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
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
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
WXII: North Carolina detects first West Nile Virus illness, early mosquito activity raises concern
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging residents to protect themselves after confirming the state's first West Nile virus illness of 2026.
Thursday, August 6
Salmonella
BBC: Taylor Farms recalls jalapeno products after salmonella outbreak
Food producer Taylor Farms is recalling a swathe of its fresh products containing jalapeno peppers after a salmonella outbreak.
Monday, August 10
AP: Jalapeños linked to a US salmonella outbreak are tracked to a Mexican farm and a distributor
Jalapeño peppers linked to a multistate salmonella outbreak have been traced back to a grower in Sinaloa, Mexico, federal officials say.
Thursday, August 6
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.