On 26 Jan 2026, Ethiopia officially declared the end of its first-ever Marburg virus disease outbreak, following 42 consecutive days with no new confirmed cases.

The outbreak was confirmed on 14 Nov 2025 declared and resulted in 14 laboratory-confirmed cases and nine deaths. There were five deaths that were probable cases. The outbreak affected four districts—Jinka, Malle, and Arba Minch in the South Ethiopia Region and Hawassa in the Sidama Region.

Rapid scaling of surveillance, contact tracing, risk communication, and border screening curbed transmission, while early access to investigational vaccines and therapeutics strengthened outbreak response.

Two German travelers developed laboratory-confirmed Chikungunya virus infection after independent trips to Seychelles (Mahé and La Digue) in January 2026. Both cases were confirmed by positive PCR results for chikungunya virus in serum samples.

According to the Ministry of Health of Seychelles, chikungunya cases have been rising nationwide since mid-December 2025. The rainy season, which typically occurs from November to March, creates favorable conditions for mosquito breeding.

In 2025, a chikungunya cases were detected in June and July in travellers after a stay in Seychelles.

Puerto Rico is facing a severe 2025–26 influenza epidemic, with over 40’000 cases, 3’001 hospitalizations, and 128 deaths reported by mid-January 2026. Children account for nearly half of cases (46%), and the epidemic has remained above threshold for six weeks, prompting a state of emergency.

Six confirmed cases of hepatitis A have been reported in Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia, since November 2025, with three cases occurring within a single household and the source of infection for the remaining cases yet to be identified.

The cluster occurred in advance of the Tamworth Country Music Festival, from 16 to 25 Jan 2026, which draws tens of thousands of visitors and significantly increases pressure on local accommodations and food services, creating conditions that can facilitate disease transmission.

The US CDC has updated the areas at risk for chikungunya. As of 13 Jan 2026, there is a chikungunya travel health notice for outbreaks in (red = new compared to last update 16 Dec 2025):

• Bangladesh
  
• Cuba
  
• Guangdong Province, China
  
• Sri Lanka
  

Countries considered to have an elevated risk for chikungunya include:

• Brazil
  
• Bolivia
  
• Colombia
  
• India
  
• Mexico
  
• Nigeria
  
• Pakistan
  
• Philippines
• Thailand

Nestlé issued consumer advisories and recalls for specific infant formula batches in multiple markets due to a potential quality issue involving an ingredient (ARA oil) and possible cereulide toxin contamination; advisories emphasize following country-specific batch lists and guidance.

According to WHO, on week 02, 2026: 14 out of 26 countries of the enhanced meningitis surveillance network shared their meningitis epidemiological data. For previous epidemics and alerts, see news at www.healthytravel.ch.

Epidemics:

• None
  

Alert:

• D.R. Congo: Lualaba province, Sud-Ubangi province, Haut-Lomami province, North Kivu province
  
• Senegal: Dakar region and Saint Luise region
  

Pathogens identified in 2026 (for updates, see LINK).

Environmental monitoring in Santa Catarina reported a substantial proportion of monitored coastal points as unsuitable for bathing, with elevated E. coli at several beaches. Authorities reported increased gastroenteritis linked to exposure to contaminated seawater and non-potable water, and advised avoiding swimming shortly after heavy rain and checking official water-quality updates before bathing.

Guatemala confirmed a cluster of measles cases linked to a large religious mass gathering in Santiago Atitlán (Dec 2025), with cases detected in multiple departments and an epidemiological alert issued in early Jan 2026. Authorities implemented enhanced surveillance, active case finding, and vaccination response measures.