According to WHO, in week 09 and 10, 2026 (23 Feb to 8 March 2026): 18 out of 26 countries of the enhanced meningitis surveillance network shared their meningitis epidemiological data.

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

• Central African Republic: Region 3
  
• Chad: Tanjile province (Guidari district)
  
• Niger: Niamey region (district Niamey 1)
  
  

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

• Burkina Faso: Sourou region
  
• Central African Republic: Region 3
  
• Chad: Tanjile province (Lai district)
  
• D.R. Congo: Kongo Central province, Sud-Ubangi province, Lomami province, Haut-Lomami province
  
• Ghana: North East region, Upper West region
  
• Niger: Niamey region (district Niamey 3), Agadez region (district of Bilma)
  
• Togo: Kara region
  

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

Pathogens identified in 2026 (for updates, see LINK): S. pneumoniae 43%, N. meningitidis serogroup C 38.5%, N. meningitidis serogroup W 11%.

Namibia is experiencing a significant increase in malaria cases in early 2026, with more than 11’300 cases since 1.1.2026 – 73% of which were locally acquired – and 21 deaths. The 27% imported cases demonstrate high cross-border population mobility on the northern border. Transmission remains predominantly seasonal in the central and north-western regions, while north-eastern regions have endemic transmission with seasonal peaks. Transmission appears to be linked to post-rainy-season favourable conditions. 

From the PAHO epidemiological alert March 13, 2026: “In 2025, a total of 346 confirmed yellow fever cases and 143 deaths were reported across seven countries in the Region: Bolivia (8 cases, 2 deaths), Brazil (120 cases, 48 deaths), Colombia (125 cases, 46 deaths), Ecuador (11 cases, 8 deaths), Guyana (1 death), Peru (49 cases, 19 deaths), and Venezuela (32 cases, 19 deaths). During the first seven weeks of 2026, 34 human cases and 15 deaths have already been confirmed in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela.

PAHO noted that the sylvatic transmission cycle of yellow fever, involving mosquito vectors and nonhuman primates as hosts, reactivates periodically in the region, which is an expected phenomenon. However, since late 2025, human cases have been detected in geographic areas without recent transmission and outside previously considered risk zones, such as São Paulo state in Brazil and the department of Tolima in Colombia.”

Most cases in 2025 and 2026 were reported in non-vaccinated people. 2025 is the year with the highest case numbers after the strong peaks in 2017 /2018. The figures result in a case-fatality rate of 41% in 2025.
PAHO recommends affected countries to maintain vaccination coverage of at least 95% in exposed populations.

Confirmed cases of yellow fever in humans by year in the Americas Region, between 2016 and 2026 (Source: 2026-march-13-phe-epidemiological-alert-yellow-fever-final.pdf):

Various linked conflicts in the Middle East including environmental health risks due to strikes on energy and water desalination infrastructure in Iran and the Gulf countries coupled with jeopardized health infrastructure, increase the risk of acute respiratory and cardiovascular illness as well as the potential for water-borne illnesses across the region. 

As of 18 March 2026, an outbreak of 20 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) – including two fatalities – have been reported in Kent (southern England). The cases were 17 – 21 years of age, some are students of the University of Kent. In addition, France reported to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) two confirmed cases who had attended the University of Kent. So far, six (of nine) cases have been confirmed to be meningococcal serogroup B. UKHSA investigations identified a nightclub in Canterbury as a possible exposure site between 5-7 March. A targeted vaccination program and provision of prophylactic antibiotics are underway through UKHSA and in close collaboration with the University of Kent and the aforementioned club.

Serogroup B accounted for 55% of IMD cases (total 2’263 cases, 202 fatalities) reported to ECDC in 2024. ECDC assesses the risk of IMD to the general population in the EU/EEA as very low. 

The US CDC has updated the areas at risk for chikungunya on 10 March 2026 (red = new compared to last update 11 February 2026):

At least 23 people have died following heavy rains and flooding in Nairobi, according to media reports. The government has activated emergency measures as rainfall is expected to continue, increasing the risk of further flooding and displacement.

Other areas across the country were also affected. In the Maasai Mara National Reserve, tourists and staff were evacuated by air due to rising waters.

Another suspected rabies outbreak is being investigated at the Duiker Island seal colony in Hout Bay, located about 20km southwest of Cape Town.  Two seals have been removed from the area in the past week, one following an incident with kayakers last Saturday.

The island is famous for its large colony of Cape fur seals and is a popular spot for boat tours and wildlife viewing. Rabies outbreaks among seals has been reported in 2025 and 2024 at various places in South Africa and Namibia (see EpiNews 28.10.2026).

Seals on Duiker Island:

As of week 09, 2026, health authorities have investigated 16’643 suspected cases of measles nationwide. Of these, 6’104 cases have been confirmed, including seven fatalities.

The number of confirmed cases in just the first nine weeks of 2026 already represents nearly as many cases as the entire year of 2025, which had 6’452 reported cases.

In 2025 and up to 07 March 2026, a total of 324 measles related deaths have been reported.