Building the Future of Biodefense
Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
ADVISORY
Wisconsin confirms 3 severe Powassan virus cases, 1 resulting in death
06/26/2025
United States of America, Wisconsin
Recommendation: Powassan virus disease is a rare tick-borne disease, but it does occur in Wisconsin. Wisconsin's 1st ever case was reported in 2003, with most cases occurring in the north, where blacklegged (deer) ticks are more common. Organizations with employees working outdoors in grassy or wooded areas should remind them that tick bite prevention is important for minimizing exposure risk. Wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and conducting tick checks after being in grassy, agricultural, or forested areas protects employees from tickborne diseases.
Situation: Media sources reported that Wisconsin health officials confirmed 3 cases of Powassan virus requiring hospitalization, of which 1 resulted in death. In 2024, Wisconsin reported 12 cases of the Powassan virus. Early symptoms often include fever, headache, vomiting, and weakness, and in some cases progress to meningitis or encephalitis. Officials asked health care providers to quickly test patients with symptoms of the disease. [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
Measles exposure at Dulles International Airport
06/26/2025
United States of America, Virginia
Recommendation: Organizations in Virginia 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: Virginia reported a measles exposure at Washington Dulles International Airport on 6/19 in an international traveler visiting North Carolina. The individual passed through Concourse A, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building, baggage claim, the departures area of the main terminal, east security checkpoint, on transportation to Concourse C, and inside Concourse C. Exposed individuals should monitor for measles symptoms (7-21 days from exposure). [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
The risk of further mpox spread could increase with ongoing demonstrations in Kenya
06/26/2025
Kenya
Recommendation: Employers can support employees in obtaining mpox vaccinations by providing flexible work schedules. Information on the availability of mpox vaccines and treatment can also be included in employee wellness communication.
Situation: The number of weekly mpox cases has gradually increased since the end of March in Kenya. Africa CDC officials stated that the ongoing public demonstrations could increase the risk of further disease spread, noting that test positivity increased in the most recent week of data. 633 suspected cases and 163 confirmed cases were reported across 17 counties since the start of the year. See PHC alerts on 4/25, 2/27, 2/19, 2/11, and 1/24 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
California man from Tulare County dies after contracting West Nile virus
06/25/2025
California, Tulare County
Recommendation: West Nile virus (WNV) activity in California typically occurs in the summer and early fall. 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: California health officials in Tulare County reported a human WNV case, which resulted in the death of an adult male. This is the 1st reported human case in California this year. WNV was also detected in mosquitoes at multiple sites within the county. Residents were advised to take precautions against mosquito bites. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Lyme disease cases rise in Berlin as warmer weather extends tick season
06/25/2025
Germany, Land Berlin
Recommendation: Organizations in Berlin, Germany, with employees working outdoors in grassy or wooded areas should remind them that tick bite prevention is important for minimizing exposure risk. Wearing protective clothing, using insect repellent, and conducting tick checks after being in grassy, agricultural, or forested areas protects employees from tickborne diseases.
Situation: As of 6/18, 206 cases of Lyme disease were reported in Berlin, above the pre-pandemic 2015–2019 average of 146 for the same period. Health officials attributed the rise to climate change, which has led to milder winters and warmer springs, extending the tick season and increasing human-tick contact. Berlin reported 972 Lyme disease cases in 2024, 984 in 2023, and 807 in 2022. [Confidence: Very High]
Real-time,
World-wide
Biothreat Alerts
Delivered to you at the speed of relevance
Operational and strategic intelligence for biodefense
Leverage operational biosurveillance to anticipate and assess biological risks, drive decision-making, and protect mission-critical operations.
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
