We discussed the importance of integrating security considerations into outbreak preparedness and response at the 9th World One Health Congress in Lisbon. A valuable conversation alongside colleagues working across health, security, and preparedness. @wohcongress.bsky.social @cepi.net

As the Ebola outbreak unfolds in the DRC, we explored different control scenarios: Improved case detection has the largest impact, but even a moderately effective vaccine could markedly reduce mortality, either through ring or community vaccination. 👉https://tinyurl.com/37ssjdvm

Remember Zika virus? Travellers have recently returned from Bali with this mosquito-borne infection. While most people experience a mild, self-limited illness, Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in the developing fetus. tinyurl.com/4fy8ythh

The potential for rVSV-ZEBOV (Ervebo) to cross-protect against Bundibugyo ebolavirus was the basis for our modelling study in the preprint below. Clinical studies to evaluate this are now underway. Smart move by the WHO.

Isaac Bogoch@isaacbogoch.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Case detection & contact tracing could cut Bundibugyo Ebola deaths by ~60%. If a vaccine with modest efficacy were available, ring vaccination may offer modest benefit, while community vaccination could have greater impact. Preprint w/ great colleagues: tinyurl.com/ykp7aw2d

AI was just used to design 16 new viruses. While some laud this as progress, it can also be a massive biosecurity risk. In the wrong hands, this could have catastrophic consequences. tinyurl.com/mw8jnnkz

Artificial Intelligence used to design brand new viruses

Scientists made 16 successful viruses that had their genetic code designed by artificial intelligence.

tinyurl.com

There was just a locally acquired case of dengue fever reported in Virginia, USA. The climate is becoming more suitable, the compatible mosquito species (Aedes) is already there, and we’ll likely see more cases across a wider area. Link: tinyurl.com/2pu4xrc5

New World screwworm has returned to the U.S. after more than 40 years, threatening livestock & wildlife (including potentially billions in economic losses). This is a solvable "one health" issue. Link: tinyurl.com/y3k8hc7p, with Jason Andrews and J. Scott Weese.

The #Ebola #Bundibugyo outbreak in DRC's Ituri province is now the 2nd largest in known history, having overtaken the 2018-2020 outbreak in North-Kivu & Ituri in a matter of 2.5 months. Hard to say how big this one will get. Can't see it ending anytime soon.

A sad milestone: this is now the second-largest Ebola virus outbreak on record. Despite heroic efforts on the ground, it has not yet come under control.

The New York Times@nytimes.com · last mo.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed more than 1,500 people in just over two months, and it is spreading much faster than previous outbreaks, the nation’s health ministry reported on Thursday.

Long-acting HIV tablets have the potential to transform treatment and prevention. In this Phase 3 trial, a single once-weekly tablet of islatravir–lenacapavir maintained HIV suppression as effectively as daily oral therapy. Incredible. tinyurl.com/44v7d3zc

West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Toronto and other parts of Ontario. Most infections cause no symptoms or only mild illness, but in rare cases, the virus can cause serious illness affecting the nervous system. Bring out the bug spray.

Case detection & contact tracing could cut Bundibugyo Ebola deaths by ~60%. If a vaccine with modest efficacy were available, ring vaccination may offer modest benefit, while community vaccination could have greater impact. Preprint w/ great colleagues: tinyurl.com/ykp7aw2d

Many infectious causes of diarrhea spread from person-to-person, but Cyclospora is different. This is commonly from ingesting contaminated food/water (e.g. fresh produce). Direct spread is less common because the parasite must mature outside the body before becoming infectious.

CNN@cnn.com · 2mo ago

An outbreak of diarrhea caused by the parasite cyclospora has risen to more than 3,000 cases in Michigan and Ohio. https://cnn.it/4piAje9

It’s summer in Canada, and Lyme disease is out there. We’re lucky to live in the most beautiful country on the planet and should be outside as much as possible. 🇨🇦 Laura Brehaut discusses a few simple steps for Lyme prevention. Link: tinyurl.com/e6rzaxdf

Lyme disease is on the rise. Here's how to prevent it and what to do if you get bitten

Canadian Lyme disease cases increased by 3,934 per cent in just 15 years

tinyurl.com

Hantaviruses are a rare but potentially severe infection in travellers & migrants. We describe 17 cases reported to the GeoSentinel Network between 2002–2025 from multiple continents. Just published in the J. Travel Medicine with an excellent group of colleagues. ➡️https://tinyurl.com/bdh7s2jm

Just pure magic in Southern Alberta. (Little Beehive Trail)

Happy Canada Day 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

A Danish cohort study of adults aged 65 and older demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccines continued to reduce the risk of hospitalization and death. The data are from this past winter. Link: tinyurl.com/tbskb5sa by Hansen et al.

A French doctor supporting the Ebola outbreak efforts in the DRC contracted the virus and is now receiving care in France. "France has set up a 'dedicated monitoring system' for aid workers returning from DR Congo." www.bbc.com/news/article...

France confirms first Ebola case

More than 260 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo are known to have died during the current outbreak.

bbc.com

Encouraging to see a coordinated global & local response to the Ebola virus outbreak. Cases are just over 900. Uganda has not had a confirmed case since June 5. Sustained support for local & global response efforts will be key to ending this outbreak. tinyurl.com/yzdbvfxj

Mass gatherings like the World Cup can facilitate the introduction of infections & spur outbreaks. But context matters. A recent preprint suggests the overall risk is (mostly) low. Still, it's always best to be prepared. Great write-up by @kakape.bsky.social. tinyurl.com/23cw2mx7

Screwworm has now reached Texas, breaching the barrier designed to keep it from moving north of Panama. These larvae can devastate livestock. Human cases are less common but can be severe & disfiguring. We recently saw a case in Toronto in a traveller returning from Costa Rica.

Reuters@reuters.com · 3mo ago

Flesh-eating screwworm case suspected in South Texas, USDA says reut.rs/3QkFNbm

Canada is taking significant steps to support the Ebola outbreak response in Central Africa. New funding will support medical & public health efforts, support frontline teams, and protect communities. 🇨🇦 Link: tinyurl.com/2tyzfk5u

Canada taking more stringent steps to reduce the risk of Ebola virus importation. Travel is not banned, but those arriving from impacted countries will isolate for 21 days. Link: tinyurl.com/nhfphu5s, by Lauren Pelley & Jennifer La Grassa

There are currently no licensed Ebola virus vaccines for the Bundibugyo strain causing the current outbreak in DRC and Uganda. A team at Oxford is working on a dedicated vaccine candidate, which should be ready for testing shortly. Link: tinyurl.com/3cwjat8p

Locally acquired ascariasis (an intestinal worm infection) is vary rare in Canada, but it can occur. We report on a locally acquired case from Northern Ontario in @CMAJ. Great work by Dr. Foote. www.cmaj.ca/content/198/...

A number of Americans who are in the Congo are believed to have had exposure to suspected cases in the country’s latest Ebola outbreak, sources have told STAT. www.statnews.com/2026/05/17/e...

In Ebola outbreak, a number of Americans in the Congo believed to have had exposure to suspected cases

A number of Americans who are in the Congo are believed to have had exposure to suspected cases in the country’s latest Ebola outbreak, sources have told STAT.

statnews.com

Hantavirus (Andes virus) modelling with @jasonandrews.bsky.social: Long incubation & ~subclinical shedding in some may limit symptomatic screening, as transmission can occur before symptom onset. Longer isolation with periodic testing may reduce spread. Preprint: tinyurl.com/3n74863m

Challenges to control this Ebola virus outbreak: 1. Geographically widespread, including urban settings (Goma) & cross-border spread (Uganda) 2. Non-Zaire strain with no approved vaccines or therapeutics 3. Regional security challenges that can hamper a public health response

Kai Kupferschmidt@kakape.bsky.social · 4mo ago

WHO has declared the #Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). First time this has been done without consulting an emergency committee. Extraordinary move that speaks to how concerning the facts on the ground look right now

WHO has declared the #Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). First time this has been done without consulting an emergency committee. Extraordinary move that speaks to how concerning the facts on the ground look right now

WHO@who.int · 4mo ago

Under the IHR (2005), @drtedros.who.int, the Director General of WHO, having consulted the States Parties where the event is occurring, has determined that the Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in DRC & Uganda constitutes a public health emergency of international concern bit.ly/3P4ZDac