Building the Future of Biodefense
Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
WATCH
Measles exposures at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and multiple restaurants linked to travelers from South Carolina
01/09/2026
United States of America, Washington
Recommendation: Organizations in Washington should inform employees about the potential measles exposures and provide flexible work schedules to support employees who need to make vaccine appointments for themselves or their family members. Measles is highly contagious and can quickly spread among unvaccinated individuals in a work environment.
Situation: 3 individuals from South Carolina infected with measles, where an outbreak is ongoing, may have exposed the public when traveling through Washington, according to media sources. The individuals were all family members, and visited places in Everett, Mukilteo, and Marysville. Potential exposure locations include Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) - N Concourse (1/1), Consolidated Rental Car Facility at SEA (1/1), SEA shuttle buses from airport to Consolidated Rental Car Facility (1/1), Washington State Ferries - Mukilteo/Clinton route (12/30), Fisherman Jack's Restaurant (12/30), Flying Squirrel Trampoline Park (12/29), Chick-fil-A Restaurant - SE Everett Mall Way (12/29), Slavic Christian Church Awakening (12/28), McDonalds Restaurant - 128th St (12/27). Exposed individuals should monitor for measles symptoms (7-21 days from exposure). [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Avian influenza hits North Perth in Ontario, Canada
01/09/2026
Canada, Ontario
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: Canada detected HPAI in 4 commercial poultry facilities in North Perth at the end of December. Over 120,000 turkeys were affected across the 4 outbreaks, according to media sources. From October to December, 10 commercial poultry outbreaks were reported in Ontario. See PHC alert on 12/2 for earlier info. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Chikungunya cases on the rise in the Seychelles
01/08/2026
Seychelles
Recommendation: Organizations in the Seychelles should reduce mosquito habitats by eliminating standing water and applying insecticides to outdoor storage containers, as well as encouraging employees to prevent mosquito bites. Organizations should support pregnant employees who opt not to travel to areas reporting elevated chikungunya circulation. Employees should consult a doctor about vaccination against chikungunya before traveling to affected areas. Vaccine eligibility and availability may vary by country.
Situation: Media sources reported a rise in chikungunya cases in the Seychelles during the rainy season. The increase started in mid-December, and the disease is currently more prevalent than other vector-borne diseases circulating, including dengue and the Zika virus. The country's rainy season typically runs from November to March. Several countries in East Africa and the Indian Ocean region recorded elevated chikungunya activity earlier in 2025, including Mauritius, Kenya, and Somalia (see PHC alerts on 5/12 and 6/6). [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
North Carolina confirms 3 new measles cases linked to the South Carolina outbreak
01/08/2026
North Carolina, Buncombe County
Recommendation: Organizations in Buncombe County, North Carolina, should inform employees about the possible measles exposure 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: North Carolina confirmed 3 new measles cases in 3 siblings from Buncombe County. The family recently visited Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where a large measles outbreak is ongoing, 1-2 weeks before they became sick. This marks the 2nd reported instance in the past week of the South Carolina outbreak spreading into North Carolina (see PHC alert 1/2). The public may have been exposed at the Mission Hospital Emergency Department waiting room on 1/4. Exposed individuals should monitor for measles symptoms (7-21 days from exposure). [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Israel reports its 1st mpox clade 1b case in a returning traveler
01/07/2026
Israel
Recommendation: Organizations 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: According to media sources, Israel reported the country's 1st detection of mpox clade 1b in a traveler returning from the United Arab Emirates. No new additional cases were detected so far. Health officials reported that mpox vaccines are currently unavailable, though efforts are underway to renew supplies and improve access for at-risk groups. [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
