Building the Future of Biodefense

Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.

ADVISORY
Cholera outbreak in Odisha, India, with at least 5 deaths
06/16/2025
India, Odisha

Recommendation: Cholera is endemic in India, though there is state-wide variation with outbreaks frequently occurring in western and southwestern states, as well as Punjab and West Bengal. Outbreaks are most common during the monsoon season (Jun-Sept) and in rural areas. Organizations in Odisha, India, should ensure access to clean water and encourage employees to seek treatment if they develop gastrointestinal symptoms.

Situation: Media sources reported a cholera outbreak in Odisha's Jajpur District that resulted in at least 5 deaths and around 500 hospitalizations. 8 cases were confirmed for Vibrio cholerae. Those most affected were within a 4-block area and 1 urban area within the Jajpur District, with cases also reported in nearby districts of Bhadrak, Keonjhar, and Cuttack. Health officials are working to contain the outbreak, including providing public awareness and cancelling the Raja festival and feasts from June 14 -16. [Confidence: Very High]

ADVISORY
UK warns about measles risk at Glastonbury Festival
06/16/2025
United Kingdom, England

Recommendation: Organizations 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. Information on vaccination before attending a mass gathering, such as music festivals, can also be included in employee wellness communication.

Situation: Health officials in England issued health advice ahead of the Glastonbury Festival on 6/21-25, reminding visitors that measles is circulating in the country and abroad. The risk of transmission is elevated in environments with close contact, such as festivals. Health officials advised visitors to review their vaccination status and to get vaccinated. They also highlighted the risk from other health threats, including sexually transmitted infections and weather-related illness. [Confidence: Very High]

WATCH
Japan's whooping cough cases remain high
06/13/2025
Japan

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]

ADVISORY
Anthrax outbreak continues along the DRC-Uganda border
06/13/2025
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Province du Nord-KivuUganda

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]

ADVISORY
Mainland France detects its 1st locally acquired chikungunya case this year
06/13/2025
France, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur

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]

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