Building the Future of Biodefense
Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
ADVISORY
California detects high enterovirus D68 levels in wastewater
01/13/2026
United States of America, California
Recommendation: Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a non-polio enterovirus that usually causes a mild respiratory illness, though children with asthma are at higher risk for severe symptoms. EV-D68 can also lead to acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare but serious neurological condition that mostly affects children. Enteroviruses are more likely to occur during the summer and fall, but can happen year-round. EV-D68 and other respiratory diseases can impact employee absenteeism due to illness or caregiving duties.
Situation: The WastewaterSCAN Dashboard reported that EV-D68 detections in wastewater were high on average in California, particularly in the San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento areas, as well as in cities farther south, including Paso Robles, Ontario, and Indio. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Pakistan reports 1 new wild poliovirus case in 2025, increasing the annual total to 31 cases
01/13/2026
Pakistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province
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 confirmed its 31st wild poliovirus case of 2025. The case was detected in North Waziristan District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The district previously reported 4 other cases in 2025, and 16 other cases were reported across the province. Polio detections declined in Pakistan in 2025 compared to 2024, but transmission persisted in high-risk areas. A national vaccination campaign will start in early February, targeting over 45 million children under the age of 5 years old. Elsewhere, on 1/13, the WHO South-East Asia region marked 15 years since the last wild poliovirus case was detected in West Bengal, India, in 2011. Pakistan is in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean region, not the South-East Asia region. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
India reports 2 suspected Nipah virus cases among nurses in West Bengal
01/13/2026
India, West Bengal
Recommendation: Nipah virus is severe and often deadly. Individuals are typically infected after consuming fruit or fruit products contaminated by fruit bats. Organizations in West Bengal, India, should advise employees not to consume raw juice or raw fruit that has been left in the open. Nipah virus outbreaks in India primarily occurred in Kerala and in West Bengal (Siliguri 2001, Nadia 2007), linked to fruit bats and contaminated date palm sap.
Situation: According to media sources, 2 suspected cases of Nipah virus disease were reported in West Bengal, India. The individuals are nurses from a private hospital in Barasat who tested positive in preliminary screenings and are both hospitalized in critical condition and on ventilator support. One nurse attended a family wedding in Nadia on 12/15 and 12/17, and later visited several places, including Shantiniketan. The second nurse, from East Burdwan, worked night duty with the first nurse on 12/20-21. Health officials dispatched teams to investigate the cases and conduct contact tracing. Officials also implemented enhanced surveillance for new cases, activating isolation wards if needed, and training health care personnel. Nipah virus is endemic in bordering Bangladesh, where several cases were reported in 2025 (see PHC alert 1/9). [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
Measles cluster linked to large religious event in Guatemala with attendees from North and Central America
01/12/2026
Guatemala, Departamento de Solola
Recommendation: Organizations in Solola, Guatemala, 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: Guatemala confirmed a measles case in an individual from El Salvador. The individual attended a religious event with approximately 2,000 attendees in Santiago Atitlan, Solola, Guatemala, on 12/10-12/14. The name of the event was unspecified, but attendees comprised individuals from Mexico, the US, and other Central American countries. 5 subsequent suspected cases among attendees were identified as part of the rapid response investigation. Media sources reported that all back-to-school activities in Santiago Atitlan were cancelled and that classes would be held remotely to prevent further spread. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Avian influenza has now been detected at poultry farms on all of Japan's 4 main islands
01/12/2026
Japan, Kagawa
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: Japan detected HPAI at a poultry farm in Higashikagawa City, Kagawa Prefecture, affecting about 24,000 birds. This marks the 1st HPAI detection in the Shikoku region and the 15th outbreak for the season in Japan. HPAI has now been identified on all 4 of Japan’s main islands this season. [Confidence: Very High]
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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
