Building the Future of Biodefense
Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
ADVISORY
2 H5N1 human cases in Bangladesh - first cases in a decade
06/04/2025
Bangladesh, Khulna Division
Recommendation: The new H5N1 human cases in Bangladesh do not change PHC's recommendations for organizations. No human-to-human spread of avian influenza has been detected. Organizations should follow the recommendations provided in the PHC analysis on 1/10 and 2/13, including lowering barriers to seasonal flu vaccines for their employees. Employees should avoid live-animal markets and not have contact with or consume diseased poultry.
Situation: The WHO reported 2 H5N1 human cases (clade 2.3.2.1a) from Bangladesh this year. The 2 cases were in children from Khulna Division, who both recovered. Both cases were reported to WHO in May, but a sample from one case was obtained in February, and a sample from the other case was obtained in April. There was a confirmed H5N1 outbreak in poultry in Jessore in March, the district of residence of the April case, but no information about potential sources of exposure was provided for the other case. These cases are the first human H5N1 cases reported from Bangladesh since 2015. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Spain confirms a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever case in Castile and Leon
06/04/2025
Spain, Castilla y Leon
Recommendation: Since 2016, Spain has detected sporadic, locally acquired Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) cases in its northwestern and western regions during spring and summer months. Organizations in Castile and Leon, Spain, with employees working outdoors in grassy or wooded areas should remind them that tick bite prevention is important for minimizing exposure risk.
Situation: Spain confirmed a CCHF case in the Salamanca Province of Castile and Leon. The source of infection was from a tick bite, and the individual was hospitalized. Last year, Spain reported 4 CCHF cases, the highest number of annual cases since the 1st locally acquired CCHF case was confirmed in 2016. [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
Kansas reports 7 new measles cases, 6 in Pawnee County
06/03/2025
United States of America, Kansas
Recommendation: Organizations in Kansas should 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: Kansas reported 7 new measles cases in the last week, totaling 71 cases across 11 counties so far this year, with Pawnee County reporting 6 more cases, totaling 7, in the past week. 69 of the 71 cases are considered outbreak-related. There are no active exposure locations listed as of 6/3. See PHC alerts on 5/28, 5/11, 5/15, 5/12, and 5/8 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Pakistan reports a new polio case as its vaccination campaign reaches 45+ million children
06/03/2025
Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan
Recommendation: The polio vaccine is more than 99% effective in preventing poliovirus infection. Travelers to Pakistan should verify their polio vaccination status before travel.
Situation: Pakistan reported a new case of wild poliovirus type 1 in an individual from the District Diamer, Gilgit-Baltistan. The total number of polio cases in 2025 now stands at 11 (5 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 4 in Sindh, 1 in Punjab, and 1 in Gilgit-Baltistan). The 3rd nationwide polio vaccination campaign concluded on 6/1 and successfully reached over 45 million children under 5 in 159 districts, including high-risk areas of the country. See PHC alerts 5/22, 4/28, 4/24, 4/15, and 3/3 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Thailand confirms a 6th case of human anthrax
06/03/2025
Thailand, Changwat Sa Kaeo
Recommendation: Human anthrax cases are rare in Thailand, though the disease is more commonly detected in neighboring countries of Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar. Organizations should caution employees working in or traveling to Thailand to avoid consuming meat from dead or improperly slaughtered cattle.
Situation: Media sources reported that health officials confirmed a human anthrax case in an adult male from Tambon Tha Yaek, Muang district, Thailand, associated with eating raw beef. The individual was hospitalized. This is the 6th case for Thailand in 2025. Health officials are investigating the event to find the infection source and identify others exposed to the animal. Residents of Muang district and nearby areas were urged to avoid raw meat, wash their hands or bathe after handling livestock, and promptly report unusual animal deaths to authorities. [Confidence: Very High]
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PHC Navigator
PHC Navigator is a biothreat intelligence engine built on expert-curated and proprietary data and models that provides actionable intelligence and insights
PHC Vector
PHC Vector provides direct programmatic access to PHC Global intelligence to simplify an increasingly complex biodefense landscape
