Building the Future of Biodefense
Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
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 Japan should provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members.
Situation: Japan reported 25,037 cases of whooping cough so far in 2025, more than 6 times the total for all of 2024, which saw 4,054 cases. 2,329 cases were reported in the week ending 6/1, down 331 from the previous week, but were still high, indicating the outbreak is ongoing. According to media sources, the Japan Pediatric Society is calling for early vaccination measures for high-risk infants starting at 2 months old. See PHC alert 5/22, 5/8, 4/23, and 4/9 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]
Recommendation: Due to an anthrax outbreak, organizations in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and western Uganda, organizations should caution employees to avoid contact with animals in the region, ensure any water from nearby sources is boiled before consumption, and not to consume meat obtained from sick animals or animals that died suddenly. The US State Department lists the DRC under a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory and Uganda as a Level 3: Reconsider Travel advisory.
Situation: From March to April 2025, concurrent anthrax outbreaks in the DRC and Uganda affected both wildlife and humans. In the DRC, North Kivu reported 17 human cases and 1 death, with some cases linked to handling or consuming infected animals or with cross-border cattle movement from Uganda. In Uganda, 30 human cases were reported, tied to the handling of dead livestock. In addition to unsafe animal handling practices, the outbreak was compounded by low public awareness, cultural beliefs linking livestock deaths to witchcraft, cross-border animal movement, and limited veterinary services for sick animals. Response efforts are ongoing. See PHC alert 5/01 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]
Recommendation: The chikungunya mosquito vector, Aedes albopictus, is present in France. Chikungunya is not considered endemic in the country, though locally transmitted cases have occurred. Organizations in France can support mosquito control measures at their facilities by eliminating standing water. Employees should eliminate sources of standing water around their property and prevent mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent.
Situation: Mainland France confirmed the detection of its 1st locally acquired chikungunya case this year. The case was detected in La Crau commune of the Var Department. Vector control measures were implemented. The case follows high levels of imported vector-borne diseases this year, including chikungunya (see PHC alert 5/29). [Confidence: Very High]
Recommendation: Organizations in the Netherlands 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: The Netherlands reported a measles death this week in an adult with a severe immune disorder. Media sources reported that this is the 1st measles death in the country since 2023. The Netherlands reported 437 cases so far this year, with the number of new cases on the decline since March. See PHC alerts on 5/1, 4/24, 4/17, 4/10, and 4/3 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]
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 Taiwan should advise employees to proactively protect themselves against respiratory illnesses by wearing masks, practicing hand hygiene, avoiding crowded areas, and getting vaccinated. Organizations should provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members.
Situation: Taiwan health officials announced that the COVID-19 growth rate slowed down. They estimated that the disease reached its peak last week, though the numbers of severe cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in people over the age of 50 are still increasing. Public compliance with mask wearing and vaccination uptake likely contributed to the changing disease trends. Similar declines were noted in China and Hong Kong as well. [Confidence: Very High]
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