Building the Future of Biodefense
Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
ADVISORY
West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis are circulating in central New York
07/17/2025
New York, Onondaga County
Recommendation: West Nile virus (WNV) and eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) are endemic in central New York. 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 that covers skin, using mosquito repellents, and emptying standing water.
Situation: New York health officials reported the 1st human WNV case in Onondaga County since 2019 in Cicero. The individual was hospitalized but later discharged. Additionally, the EEE virus was also detected in mosquito populations in Cicero, though no human cases have been reported yet. An EEE detection in mosquitoes indicates that the disease is circulating in the area. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Mississippi issues health alert as whooping cough cases increase in the state
07/17/2025
United States of America, Mississippi
Recommendation: Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is highly contagious; a single case in the workplace can infect 15 others. The average worker absenteeism for whooping cough is 6 days. Organizations in Mississippi should provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members.
Situation: Mississippi health officials issued a health alert due to a rise in whooping cough cases. As of 7/10, 80 cases have been reported in 2025, up from 49 in all of 2024. Most cases (76%) involved children, and 10 people were hospitalized. No deaths have occurred. Cases were reported across the state, with 40% in northeast Mississippi. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
In first 6 months of 2025, Russia's meningitis cases are 2 times higher than the total for all of 2024
07/17/2025
Russia
Recommendation: Organizations with employees traveling to or working in Russia should inform them of the rise in meningitis cases and offer flexible work schedules for vaccination.
Situation: Russia reported 1,266 meningitis cases so far this year, according to media sources. This is 2 times higher than the number of cases seen in all of 2024 (600), with most cases caused by meningococcal infections of serogroups A, B, and C. 1 in every 10 cases has died. Over 50% of the cases were reported in Moscow. The majority of cases were adults, with health officials identifying migrant workers as a risk group. Meningitis vaccination is not included in the national immunization schedule, which contributes to low national coverage. Experts called for the expansion of the vaccination program to include children, students, and migrants. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
COVID-19 is rising in 25 US states
07/16/2025
United States of America
Recommendation: COVID-19 is highly contagious and can be spread in the workplace and schools, leading to worker absenteeism due to illness or caregiving duties. Organizations in the US should advise employees to proactively protect against respiratory illness by wearing masks, practicing hand and cough hygiene, avoiding crowded areas, and getting vaccinated. Organizations should provide flexible work schedules to support employees who need to make vaccine appointments for themselves or their family members.
Situation: COVID-19 is rising in 25 states in the US. The states with the highest growing trend are California, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and Hawaii. NB.1.8.1 is the dominant variant circulating based on the CDC's most recent data. The uptick is part of a predicted summer spike in the US. According to the CDC, COVID spikes typically occur in late summer and winter. [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
New locally acquired measles case in Iowa suggests undetected community transmission
07/16/2025
United States of America, Iowa
Recommendation: Organizations in Iowa should inform employees about the possible measles exposures and 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: Iowa confirmed a new measles case from eastern Iowa this week, the 7th in the state so far this year. The individual is not linked to other known measles cases in the state and did not report any recent travel, suggesting undetected community transmission. The individual visited several locations, including: Casey's - Dubuque (7/6), Dan and Debbie's Creamery (7/6), Fields of Fun Daycare (7/7), Casey's - Ely (7/8), Airport National Golf Range (7/9), and other healthcare facilities. See the linked source for the full list of exposure locations. Exposed individuals should monitor for measles symptoms (7-21 days from exposure). Health officials stated that an accelerated MMR vaccination schedule that provides an early dose for infants aged 6-11 months should be considered, given the possibility of community transmission. [Confidence: Very High]
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PHC Vector provides direct programmatic access to PHC Global intelligence to simplify an increasingly complex biodefense landscape
