At the 44th meeting on 14 January 2025, the Emergency Committee under the International Health Regulations (IHR) reviewed the data on wild poliovirus (WPV1) and circulating vaccine derived polioviruses (cVDPV) in the context of the global targets to interrupt endemic WPV1 transmission in 2026 and to stop cVDPV2 outbreaks by 2028 with subsequent certification of WPV1 eradication and cVDPV2 elimination. Technical updates were received about the situation in the following countries: Afghanistan, Angola, Germany, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Namibia, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.

Wild poliovirus (WPV):

• Since 1 October 2025, 9 new WPV1 cases have been reported from the two endemic countries, Afghanistan (5) and Pakistan (4).
  
• Cumulatively in 2025:
  
  • 40 WPV1 cases in Afghanistan (9), Pakistan (31).
    
  • WPV1 positive environmental samples sites: Afghanistan (64), Pakistan (608), Germany (1).
    
  • Germany: On 10 November 2025, the GPEI confirmed the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) in an environmental sample collected through routine surveillance in Hamburg, Germany, on 7 October 2025. Genetic sequencing indicates that this WPV1 detection is linked to WPV1 previously identified in Kandahar, Afghanistan, in August 2025, suggesting a recent importation into Germany. An environmental sample collected from the same site on 13 October 2025 also showed the presence of WPV1. No further WPV1 detections have been reported in subsequent environmental samples collected after 13 October 2025. 
    

Circulating vaccine derived poliovirus (cVDPV):

• In 2025, a total of 192 cVDPV2 cases, 7 cVDPV3 cases, 3 cVDPV1 cases were reported.
  
• Since the last Emergency Committee meeting in October 2025:
  
  • New cVDPV1 outbreaks in Laos. In Algeria, Djibouti, DRC, and Israel, outbreaks are ongoing.
    
  • New cVDPV2 outbreaks are in Namibia, with ongoing outbreaks in 25 additional countries (see below).
    
  • cVDPV3 outbreaks in Cameroon, Chad, and Guinea are ongoing.
    

The Committee unanimously concluded that the risk of international spread of poliovirus continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) and recommended extending the Temporary Recommendations for a further three months.

The Committee, after a thorough review of the epidemiological and programmatic situation, unanimously concluded that the event does not constitute a pandemic emergency.

Risk categories and advice aimed at reducing the risk of international spread of WPV1 and cVDPVs:

1. States infected with WPV1, cVDPV1 or cVDPV3.
   
2. States infected with cVDPV2, with or without evidence of local transmission.
3. States previously infected by WPV1 or cVDPV within the last 24 months (last detection >13 months).

Chikungunya virus transmission is again increasing in Mayotte. Since 1 January 2026, more than 270 autochthonous confirmed cases have been reported, with an average of about 65 cases per week during the last two weeks of February.

Mayotte also experienced a chikungunya outbreak in 2025, with 1’270 confirmed cases and a peak of 232 cases in epidemiological week 21. The total number of cases was likely underestimated due to limited access to healthcare.

Local media, referencing data from Sri Lanka's National Dengue Control Unit report that the country recorded 13 416 dengue cases in the first two months of 2026 (January–February), with four dengue-related deaths.

The highest case burden occurred in Colombo and Gampaha districts within Western Province, with additional cases reported in Galle, Matara, and Ratnapura districts.

As of 3 March 2026, 44 cases have been reported across six islands in six weeks, exceeding the national alert threshold. Warm sea temperatures and reef disturbances are promoting toxin-producing algae, sustaining transmission risk through the rainy season.

Ciguatera Poisoning: Ciguatera is a non-contagious foodborne illness caused by eating fish containing ciguatoxins, usually due to improper preparation. Symptoms appear 3–6 hours after ingestion (up to 30 hours) and typically start with gastrointestinal issues—diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain—followed by neurological and neuropsychiatric signs such as paresthesia, weakness, burning or metallic taste, memory issues, fatigue, and mood changes. Cold allodynia and temperature reversal are distinctive but not always present. Neurologic symptoms may last days to months, while cardiovascular effects can include bradycardia, heart block, or hypotension.

A recall of infant formulas due to potential contamination by cereulide, is affecting more than 60 countries worldwide. Symptoms of cereulide intoxication are generally mild, but infants under six months are more vulnerable to dehydration and electrolyte disturbances than older children. 

As of February 2026, multiple countries have begun reporting gastro-intestinal illness clusters associated with formula exposure. For Europe: see ECDC report.

France: Third infant death reported after formula consumption.

In 2025, Timor-Leste reported 20 human rabies deaths (compared to 2 in 2024), indicating sustained and expanding transmission (8 municipalities) driven by gaps in dog vaccination, limited access to post-exposure treatment and healthcare.