The World Health Organization has declared the hantavirus outbreak linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius over after the final contact completed quarantine without infection.

 

The outbreak resulted in 13 cases, including three deaths, while more than 650 contacts were monitored across 33 countries and territories. 

On 1 Jul 2026, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed one laboratory-confirmed case of Marburg virus disease in Kyegegwa District, Western Region.

 

The patient, a 1.5-year-old child, died. While Uganda notified the World Health Organization of one case on 30 Jun, other reports suggested a second confirmed case, although this has not been officially confirmed. Investigations are ongoing to identify the source of infection and trace contacts, particularly given the district's large refugee population and potential for increased population movement.

 

This outbreak coincides with the ongoing Ebola virus disease outbreak (see EpiNews above). The last Marburg virus disease outbreak was reported in 2017 in Uganda.

 

Information on Marburg virus disease, see Factsheet.

A recently published case report describes the fatal rabies infection of an immunocompetent 11-year-old boy in Ontario after a bat briefly contacted his face while he was sleeping at a cottage in Ontario in 2024. No visible bite marks were noted, and post-exposure prophylaxis was not sought.

 

Neurological symptoms began 19 days after exposure. Rabies was confirmed by PCR four days after hospitalization, but he died 36 days after the bat exposure (17 days after hospital admission despite intensive care).

WHO for 2022–2024 show that officially reported human rabies deaths remain far below modelling estimates, pointing to substantial underreporting worldwide. The gap is likely driven by weak surveillance, misdiagnosis, limited reporting capacity, and poor cross-sector coordination. The WHO African Region reports the highest number of human rabies deaths, while recent modelling suggests that in Africa, around 300 rabies cases may go undetected for every reported case.

 

Most countries reported chronic shortages or a complete absence of rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). A survey of 20 countries found chronic shortages or a complete lack of RIG, with only five countries reporting any licensed or available RIG products, often with inconsistent supply. Several countries reported years-long stockouts or no local availability. Use of rabies monoclonal antibodies as an alternative to RIG was also limited, with only Nigeria and Togo reporting their use.

 

For details, see full WHO report.

 

The Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine (EKRM) has assessed the malaria situation in Southern Africa following a recent rise in cases in 2026 — notably in Namibia and Zimbabwe (see EpiNews, 11 June 2026) — together with forecasts of increased precipitation and favorable mosquito-breeding conditions in the coming months. Based on currently limited data, the Committee issues the following temporary recommendation for July–August 2026:

 

Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe:

• Malaria chemoprophylaxis is temporarily extended to cover June–August 2026 in regions designated as seasonal malaria risk (see map). In previous years, these months were classified as moderate risk requiring only mosquito bite avoidance (plus in risk situations carrying a stand-by emergency treatment). The situation is being closely monitored and will be reassessed.

 

South Africa, Eswatini:

• No change to current recommendations. Mosquito bite prevention remains advised for June–August 2026 in regions marked as seasonal malaria risk (see map). As in previous years, the high-risk season requiring chemoprophylaxis runs from September to May.

Manitoba's hepatitis A outbreak, declared in April 2025, remains ongoing, with more than 780 cases, four deaths, and 165 hospitalizations, including eight intensive care admissions, reported between September 2024 and 4 June 2026.

 

Person-to-person transmission continues to drive the outbreak, particularly among people experiencing homelessness, while inadequate water and sewage infrastructure has contributed to spread in some remote communities. In response, Manitoba expanded eligibility for free hepatitis A vaccination on 18 June 2026 to include eligible children living in, frequently visiting, or receiving visitors from Indigenous communities.

A suspected foodborne outbreak linked to meat sandwiches (bánh mì) sold by Hong Ngoc 37 bakery in Dao Thanh ward, Dong Thap Province, has resulted in approximately 290–303 hospitalizations since 16 June 2026. Laboratory testing detected Salmonella spp. in 25 of 36 patient samples (69%). Investigators were unable to test the suspected food, including the bakery's house-made pâté, because the implicated batch had been sold out and no retained samples were available.

According to WHO, in week 23, 2026 (1st June to 7th June): 17 out of 26 countries of the enhanced meningitis surveillance network shared their meningitis epidemiological data.

Epidemics (incidence ≥ 10/100’000 inhabitants):

• D.R. Congo: Tshopo, Equateur, Bas-Uele, and Sud-Ubangi
  
• Ethiopia: Oromia, Sidama, and SNNP
  
• Niger: Agadez
  
  

Alerts (incidence ≥ 3 and <10/100’000 inhabitants):

• Benin: Atacora, Borgou, and Zou region
  
• Central African Rep.: Region 6 and 7
  
• D.R. Congo: Nord-Ubangi, Tshopo, Tshuapa, Sud-Kivu, Equateur, Maniema, Sankuru, Nord-Kivu, Ituri, Kwilu, Sub-Ubangi, and Kongo central
  
• Ethiopia: SNNPR, Oromia, Somali, Sidama, SNNP, Amhara, and Addis Ababa
  
• Ghana: Upper West
  
• Guinea: Conakry
  
• Mali: Bamako
  
• Niger: Agadez and Niamey
  
• Senegal: Dakar
  
• Tchad: Ouaddai

For previous epidemics and alerts, see news at www.healthytravel.ch.