Building the Future of Biodefense

Recommendation: New Caledonia has not reported a major arbovirus epidemic since 2019 after Wolbachia-carrying mosquitoes were released, though sporadic, locally acquired dengue clusters during the rainy season have occurred. Organizations should reduce mosquito habitats by eliminating sources of standing water and applying insecticides to outdoor water storage containers. Employees can reduce infection risk by wearing clothing covering skin, using mosquito repellents, and emptying standing water.

Situation: New Caledonia confirmed 1 imported confirmed dengue case, 36 locally acquired confirmed dengue cases, and 4 locally acquired probable dengue cases across 13 municipalities so far this year. Of sequenced cases, only dengue serogroup 1 was detected. The imported case was from Tahiti, French Polynesia. French Polynesia reported a large-scale dengue epidemic in late 2023 until the first half of 2025, though a spike in dengue-like illness was reported in mid-November 2025, suggesting possible ongoing transmission. In 2025, New Caledonia reported 13 imported dengue cases and 9 locally acquired dengue cases. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: The primary impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in commercial flocks is the increased cost of eggs or poultry products when outbreaks become more widespread. Organizations sensitive to egg and poultry prices should have a contingency plan for price volatility. PHC recommends that continuity plans be reviewed and updated in preparation for high-consequence infectious disease threats.

Situation: Scotland reported several avian influenza detections in commercial poultry near Penicuik, Scottish Borders. H5N1 was detected in 2 outbreaks on 1/15 and 1/24. This is the 5th detection in the Penucuik area since mid-December. Media sources reported an egg shortage in nearby Glasgow supermarkets due to the avian influenza outbreak, with some stores reporting having empty shelves. See PHC alert 1/14 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: The primary impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in commercial flocks is the increased cost of eggs or poultry products when outbreaks become more widespread. Organizations sensitive to egg and poultry prices should have a contingency plan for price volatility. PHC recommends that continuity plans be reviewed and updated in preparation for high-consequence infectious disease threats.

Situation: Colorado issued a verbal disaster declaration for an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Weld County. HPAI was detected in a commercial table egg layer farm in Weld County, affecting over 1.3 million birds. In November 2025 and January 2026, Colorado reported 4 additional HPAI detections in neighboring Larimer, Logan, and Morgan counties, affecting 180 birds involving both poultry and non-poultry birds, indicating ongoing circulation of the virus in the area. The declaration action enables state agencies to properly coordinate for mitigation of disease spread, response, consequence management, and recovery efforts. [Confidence: Very High]