The annual Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is the largest religious mass gathering in the world. Over the past two decades, up to 3.2 million pilgrims from more than 180 countries have gathered annually in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj.
These pilgrims arrive in Makkah and Madinah from diverse backgrounds, traveling to a confined geographic area, coupled with the close proximity and interactions among them, heightening the potential for spreading infectious diseases and posing unique challenges for public health management and disease control.
Hajj 1445 Pilgrims Were Well Protected from Disease
$34 Million Funds Sixth Avian Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Award
As the United States continues reporting avian influenza cases in animals and people, the U.S. government is making another investment in pandemic prevention vaccines.
The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses and their transmission to animals and humans poses a significant global public health threat.
$34 Million Funds Sixth Avian Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Award
As the United States continues reporting avian influenza cases in animals and people, the U.S. government is making another investment in pandemic prevention vaccines.
The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b viruses and their transmission to animals and humans poses a significant global public health threat.
Flu Vaccine Efficacy Examined in Southern Hemisphere Countries
Adjusted vaccine efficacy was 36.5 percent against the predominant subtype A(H3N2) and 37.1 percent against A(H1N1)pdm09
700 Marburg Vaccine Candidates Heading to Rwanda
The Sabin Vaccine Institute announced it has provided 700 of its Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) vaccine candidates (PHV01) to the Republic of Rwanda to support the ongoing disease outbreak response.
As of October 5, 2024, the initial vaccine shipment will be used in a trial targeting frontline workers in Rwanda, including healthcare professionals.
Pending a request from Rwandan officials and authorization from others, Sabin plans to supply additional vaccines.
Nepal's Japanese Encephalitis Outbreak Claims 17 Lives
Over the past few decades, Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been a significant concern in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, particularly during the annual monsoon season in the Himalayan Mountains.
According to news from The Kathmandu Post, 63 people have been infected with the mosquito-borne zoonotic viral disease since June 2024. Tragically, as of September 22, 2024, 17 people, including children, have died from JE infections this year.
Miami's Disease Outbreaks Dampen Winter Vacation Plans
With enhanced transparency, U.S. states now reveal which diseases are currently impacting their communities. These insights enable vacationers to plan their next trip better when visiting one of Florida's world-class beaches this winter.
For example, the Florida Department of Health (FDH) published its Arbovirus Surveillance update #39 on September 28, 2024, disclosing various mosquito-borne diseases.
In Florida, 14 species of Anopheles mosquitoes have been found to transmit diseases to humans.
Can Dengue Outbreaks Be Stopped
Dengue outbreaks surged across all regions of the world in 2024, with an estimated four billion people at risk globally.
In late 2023, the Dengue outbreaks were graded level 3, the highest level of emergency for the World Health Organization (WHO), as the number of cases has recently doubled yearly, creating uncertainty even in the United States.
2017 to 2021 Saw Increase in Clinically Diagnosed Depression in Youth
Highest rates seen during COVID-19 pandemic versus before pandemic and in females, those aged 14 to 17 and 18 to 22 years
Progress Toward Cutting Racial Mortality Disparities Stalling, Reversing
Progress reversed due to increase in mortality from external causes, stagnation for cardiovascular diseases