Building the Future of Biodefense

Recommendation: Organizations in Guangdong Province and other chikungunya high-risk provinces in China should reduce mosquito habitats by eliminating standing water and applying insecticides to outdoor storage containers, as well as encouraging employees to prevent mosquito bites. Organizations should support pregnant employees who opt not to travel to the affected area. Employees should consult a doctor about vaccination against chikungunya before traveling to Guangdong Province. Vaccine eligibility and availability may vary by country.

Situation: Foshan officials, where the epicenter of the chikungunya outbreak in Guangdong Province is occurring, announced that the city ended its Level III public health emergency, as new daily cases remained under 50 for 9 consecutive days, signaling a shift to a low-level sporadic outbreak. The city will continue prevention and control strategies and emphasize the need for continued vigilance since Sept and Oct are peak seasons for mosquito-borne diseases due to favorable weather and increased mosquito activity. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Locally acquired dengue cases are commonly detected in Taiwan, ranging from small clusters to larger, infrequent epidemics. Organizations in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, should continue to reduce mosquito populations at their facilities by eliminating standing water. Employees can take steps to prevent mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and eliminating standing water near their homes.

Situation: Taiwan confirmed a locally acquired dengue cluster in Kaohsiung. 4 cases were detected in the cluster, all of whom resided in Gushan District, with further testing of over 100 individuals ongoing. The virus was previously detected in mosquito populations in Gushan. None of the cases reported any recent international travel. This is the 1st locally acquired dengue event in Taiwan of the year. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Plague occurs in wildlife throughout areas of the western US, including New Mexico, but human and pet cases are rare. Avoiding contact with wildlife is a best practice for organizations with employees who work outside.

Situation: Health officials in New Mexico confirmed a case of plague in a Valencia County resident, who was hospitalized and has since been released. The case recently spent time camping in Rio Arriba County, where he may have been exposed. The last human plague case in the state involved a Lincoln County resident in 2024. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Informational update only. New World screwworm (NWS) primarily affects livestock but can also impact pets, wildlife, and occasionally humans. NWS fly larvae can cause serious and often deadly damage to an animal. NWS was eradicated from the United States (US) in the 1960s, and reintroduction of the disease could lead to commercial livestock financial losses, trade restrictions, and costly eradication efforts.

Situation: Media sources reported that the US has confirmed its 1st imported human case of the new world screwworm in a Maryland resident on 8/4 who recently returned from travel to El Salvador. Officials stated that the investigation confirmed there was no indication of transmission to any other individuals or animals, and that the risk to public health in the US is very low. [Confidence: Very High]