A number of virus and illness dangers throughout numerous international locations, together with mpox, dengue fever and measles – all the pieces travellers have to know
Measles is very contagious (inventory picture) (Picture: Getty)
As of Could 2026, quite a few illness outbreaks and epidemics are affecting international locations worldwide. These vary from widespread respiratory viruses that flow into broadly to extreme zoonotic ailments that pose appreciable well being dangers in particular areas. A number of main worldwide outbreaks presently lively in 2026 embrace COVID-19, cholera, dengue fever, measles, and MPX, in keeping with authorities such because the World Well being Organisation (WHO).
Further lively regional and rising outbreaks embrace Nipah virus, yellow fever, meningococcal illness, chikungunya, and avian influenza, spanning quite a few nations. The WHO has recognized eight high-threat pathogens below shut commentary that demand pressing, steady surveillance owing to their epidemic potential. These comprise Ebola virus illness, Marburg virus illness, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever, MERS-CoV, SARS, Nipah virus, Rift Valley fever, and Zika virus.
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For probably the most up-to-date, real-time journey steering and localised outbreak data, seek the advice of the CDC Present Outbreak Checklist or Journey Well being Professional. The latter incessantly refreshes its web site with the newest outbreak knowledge; the whole checklist is offered on-line right here. However, under is a short abstract of the newest developments as of Could 1 that have an effect on 19 nations.
1. Mpox in Denmark, Poland (ex Slovakia), Madagascar and Pakistan
On 27 April 2026, the variety of confirmed clade Ib mpox instances in Denmark has risen to 4. One case has reported no journey historical past overseas, indicating regionally acquired an infection. On 13 April 2026, Poland recorded its first confirmed case of clade I mpox. The clade subtype stays unspecified. The affected person is an grownup male with a journey historical past to Slovakia. No additional transmission linked to this case has been reported, experiences the Mirror.
Between 18 December 2025 and 25 April 2026, Madagascar reported a complete of 1,196 confirmed mpox instances and three deaths. Clade Ib mpox has been recognized amongst confirmed instances.
As of 14 April 2026, Sindh Province has recorded 122 suspected mpox instances, of which 25 have been confirmed. Instances have emerged from Khairpur district, Sukkur and Karachi. 9 fatalities have been recorded, with new child infants amongst these affected. No additional particulars concerning the clade are presently accessible. For extra details about Mpox, together with signs, go to the NHS web site.
On 25 April 2026, Ecuador’s Ministry of Well being reported a deadly human case of yellow fever in an 11-year-old youngster in Joya de los Sachas Canton, Orellana Province. This marks the primary human case of yellow fever in Ecuador in 9 months. For extra details about yellow fever, together with signs, go to the NHS web site.
You’ll be able to examine your threat of yellow fever, vaccine suggestions and any certificates necessities at your vacation spot with the Journey Well being Professional Nation Info pages. Recommendation on common well being dangers, prevention recommendation, different vaccine suggestions, and malaria recommendation can also be accessible on these pages. Complete journey insurance coverage is beneficial for all travellers.
3. CVDPV2 in Malawi
Within the week ending 22 April 2026, one cVDPV2-positive environmental pattern was reported from Southern Province, Malawi, collected on 19 February 2026. For extra details about polio, together with signs, go to the NHS web site.
4. Measles in Bangladesh
Between 15 March and 14 April 2026, a complete of 19,161 suspected and a pair of,973 confirmed measles instances, with 30 (166 suspected) confirmed measles-related deaths, have been reported from Bangladesh. The very best variety of suspected instances have been reported from Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram and Khulna. Youngsters below 5 years account for almost all of reported instances. For extra details about measles, together with signs, go to the NHS web site.
Mosquitoes can unfold dengue, Zika, West Nile, yellow fever, and chikungunya viruses to people (inventory picture) (Picture: Getty)
5. Dengue in Martinique, Maldives and Tonga
As of 29 March 2026, 1,009 instances of dengue fever have been reported in Martinique because the begin of 2026. DENV3 has been recorded. Additionally, as of 15 April 2026, 1,908 instances of dengue have been reported within the Maldives because the begin of 2026. This represents a rise in comparison with the identical interval in earlier years. Instances have been recorded throughout all Atolls.
As of 20 April 2026, a complete of 24 laboratory confirmed dengue instances have been reported in Tonga for 2026. The Ministry of Well being has declared a dengue outbreak following a rise in confirmed and suspected instances, together with proof of neighborhood transmission throughout Eua, Ha’apai and Tongatapu. For extra details about dengue, together with signs, go to the NHS web site.
6. Dengue, yellow fever and Zika in Bolivia
As of twenty-two March 2026, 36,007 suspected instances of dengue have been reported in Bolivia because the begin of 2026. This marks a considerable rise in comparison with the identical interval in 2025. Serotypes DENV1 and DENV2 have been recognized. Moreover, between 1 January and 21 April 2026, a complete of 5 instances of yellow fever have been recorded in Bolivia, leading to two deaths.
As of 28 March 2026, a complete of 1,168 instances of Zika virus illness have been reported in Bolivia because the begin of 2026. This represents a substantial improve in comparison with the equal interval in 2025. A complete of 1,224 instances have been recorded all through the entire of 2025. For extra details about the Zika virus, together with signs, go to the NHS web site.
Colourized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (Picture: Getty)
7. CVDPV1 in South Sudan
As of 20 April 2026, two cVDPV1 instances have been reported from the Higher Nile area. Onset of paralysis in each instances was February 2026. For extra details about polio, together with signs, go to the NHS web site.
8. Zika in France (ex Indonesia)
Between July 2025 and March 2026, 11 travel-associated instances of Zika virus illness have been reported in France, linked to journey to Indonesia, together with all 4 instances detected in early 2026. Nearly all of instances have been related to journey to Bali and neighbouring islands. For extra details about the Zika virus, together with signs, go to the NHS web site.
9. Oropouche virus illness in Colombia
As of 19 March 2026, a complete of 21 instances of Oropouche virus illness (OROV) have been recorded in Colombia all through 2025. For additional particulars concerning the Oropouche virus, together with its signs, go to Gov.uk.
10. Undiagnosed sickness in Burundi
As of 11 April 2026, a complete of 35 instances of an undiagnosed sickness, together with 5 deaths, have been reported in Mpanda district, within the north of Burundi. Signs embrace fever, belly ache, vomiting, diarrhoea, blood in urine and fatigue. Sure extreme instances have moreover offered with anaemia and jaundice. Laboratory testing has up to now returned detrimental outcomes for Ebola and Marburg virus ailments, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever. Investigations stay ongoing.
Travellers are urged to take further precautions (Picture: Getty)
11. Influenza A(H9N2) in Italy ex Senegal
On 10 April 2026, the World Well being Group reported the primary imported human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) in Italy. The case was in an grownup getting back from Senegal. This additionally marks the primary imported human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) documented within the European Area. For additional particulars concerning hen flu, together with its signs, go to the NHS web site.
12. Lassa fever in Nigeria
In 2026, as much as 29 March, 3,831 suspected, 663 confirmed and 5 possible instances, and 167 deaths have been reported throughout 22 states. Of all confirmed instances 85% have been reported from 5 states (Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo and Benue). For additional particulars concerning Lassa fever, together with its signs, go to Gov.uk.
13. Hantavirus in Argentina
Between 1 January and 28 March 2026, 32 confirmed instances of hantavirus an infection and eight deaths have been reported. Instances have been recorded throughout the next provinces: Buenos Aires, Salta, Chubut, Río Negro, Entre Ríos and Jujuy. For additional particulars concerning Hantavirus, together with signs, go to Gov.uk.
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