Dear Dames and Knights, 

Following the numerous active outbreaks of contagious diseases worldwide, 2026 is expected to bring the continuation of multiple clusters, placing significant pressure on hospital systems in the Northern Hemisphere. This is due to new influenza variants that are more contagious and apparently more dangerous. 

In these difficult times of international uncertainty, diseases will not give us any respite. Therefore, prevention is and remains the best option. 

Should you require further guidance, please do not hesitate to contact the General Secretary of FEMERAID International for tailored recommendations and travel health advice at secretary.general@femeraid.org

Angola: Ongoing cholera outbreak, select safe food and water, consider vaccination Burundi: Cholera infections, select safe food and water, consider vaccination 

Cape Verde: Shigellosis infections, select safe food and water and pay attention to hygiene 

Congo (DRC): Cholera outbreak, select safe food and water, consider vaccination. Ongoing mpox outbreak, avoid contact with sick people. 

Ethiopia: Marburg infections in Sidama and South Ethiopia states, maintain strict hygiene measures, avoid contact with sick people 

Guinea: Diphtheria in multiple regions, ensure vaccination is up to date. Mpox infections, avoid contact with sick people. 

Kenya: Cholera outbreak, select safe food and water, consider vaccination 

Mali: Ongoing diphtheria outbreak, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Mozambique: Cholera outbreak in Nampula and Tete provinces, select safe food and water, consider vaccination 

Namibia: Cholera outbreak in Grootfontein district, select safe food and water. Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever in Khomas region, avoid tick bites, follow hygiene measures. Measles outbreak, ensure vaccination is up to date. Poliovirus in wastewater in Kavango East, ensure vaccination is up to date. 

Nigeria: Ongoing diphtheria outbreak, ensure vaccination is up to date Somalia: Ongoing diphtheria outbreak, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Argentina: Whooping cough in Buenos Aires and Tierra del Fuego, ensure vaccination is up to date Canada: Increase in seasonal flu, ensure vaccinations are up to date, follow hygiene measures Jamaica: Increasing leptospirosis, avoid contact with contaminated water 

Mexico: Increase in measles, ensure vaccination is up to date 

United States: Salmonella outbreak linked to raw oysters; avoid raw oysters 

Uruguay: Increase in varicella (chickenpox), ensure vaccination is up to date, follow hygiene measures 

Afghanistan: Increasing dengue activity in several eastern provinces, avoid mosquito bites 

American Samoa (US): Dengue infections reported, avoid mosquito bites 

Australia: Legionnaires' disease in Sydney's Central Business District, seek medical attention if symptoms develop 

Cambodia: Additional dengue infections, avoid mosquito bites 

China: Bird flu infections in several areas, avoid contact with birds, follow hygiene measures. Human case of swine-origin influenza variant in Yunnan province, avoid contact with pigs, follow hygiene measures. 

Cook Islands: Dengue in Rarotonga, avoid mosquito bites 

Indonesia: Health risks following floods, remain alert, follow advice of authorities Japan: Increase in influenza, ensure vaccination is up to date, follow hygiene measures 

Papua New Guinea: Polio in several provinces, booster recommended, carry proof of vaccination 

Sri Lanka: Health risks following floods, remain alert, follow advice of authorities 

Thailand: Increase in influenza, ensure vaccination is up to date, follow hygiene measures. Leptospirosis reported following flooding, avoid contact with contaminated water. 

Vanuatu: Whooping cough outbreak in Tafea and Shefa provinces, ensure vaccination is up to date 

Vietnam: Increase in dengue infections, avoid mosquito bites. Increase in meningococcal meningitis, consider vaccination. Increasing hand, foot and mouth disease in Ho Chi Minh City, pay attention to hygiene. 

Czech Republic: Ongoing Lyme disease activity, avoid tick bites 

France: Imported MERS-CoV infections, follow hygiene measures 

Germany: E. coli outbreak of unknown source, choose safe food, seek medical care if symptoms develop 

Hungary: Increase in hepatitis A, vaccination recommended, pay attention to hygiene 

Kyrgyzstan: Increase in respiratory illnesses, ensure vaccinations are up to date, follow hygiene measures United Kingdom: Increase in seasonal flu, ensure vaccinations are up to date, follow hygiene measures 

Sudan: Ongoing dengue activity, avoid mosquito bites 

7 January 2026