Infectious Disease Threats Weekly Report 2026-W08

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Disclaimer

This report is generated by an automated system and is for reference purposes only. The content is based on publicly available information sources and does not constitute medical advice, official policy, or professional diagnosis. Users should verify information independently and consult healthcare professionals.

Key Highlights This Week

UKHSA Publishes First Cold Mortality Report: During England’s winter 2024-25, 2,544 deaths were associated with cold weather, primarily through indirect pathways such as heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory problems. Adults aged 65+ and cardiovascular disease patients are at highest risk. (uk_ukhsa_updates) [NEW THIS WEEK]
ECDC/EFSA Issues Foodborne Bacteria Antimicrobial Resistance Warning: Ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella and Campylobacter remains persistently high, with ciprofloxacin no longer recommended for Campylobacter infections. Carbapenemase-producing E. coli detection rates in food-producing animals and meat are rising, emphasizing the importance of the One Health strategy. (ecdc_cdtr) [NEW THIS WEEK]
UK Releases RSV Vaccine PGD Template: UKHSA publishes the Patient Group Direction (PGD) template for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, supporting the national vaccination programme for pregnant women and adults aged 75+. (uk_ukhsa_updates)
HCID Risk List Updated: UKHSA updates the global High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) national risk list. Nipah virus outbreak confirmed in West Bengal, India on January 13, 2026. (uk_ukhsa_updates) [NEW THIS WEEK]
Measles and Pertussis Contact Monitoring Ongoing: Taiwan’s first imported measles case of the year (400 contacts monitored until 2/28) and first pertussis case (household contacts monitored until 3/4) continue under surveillance. (tw_cdc_alerts)
Mpox Surveillance Continues: UKHSA continues updating clade Ib and clade IIb epidemiological overview, tracking UK case trends with global vigilance maintained. (uk_ukhsa_updates)

Action Recommendations

Based on this week’s epidemic developments, the following actions are recommended:

Vaccination Recommendations

Target Population	Recommended Vaccine	Priority
Travelers to measles-endemic areas	MMR vaccine (Measles-Mumps-Rubella)	🔴 High
Pregnant women (to protect infants)	RSV vaccine, Tdap vaccine (pertussis)	🟡 Medium
Adults aged 75+	RSV vaccine, Influenza vaccine	🟡 Medium
Children aged 1+	MMR vaccine (verify vaccination record)	🟡 Medium

Preventive Measures

Cold weather: Adults aged 65+ and cardiovascular disease patients should stay warm and avoid prolonged exposure to cold temperatures
Food safety: Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked, avoid raw food to reduce antimicrobial-resistant bacteria infection risk
Hand hygiene: Wash hands frequently, especially before and after handling food

Travel Alerts

Destination	Alert Level	Risk	Recommendation
West Bengal, India	🔴 High Risk	Nipah virus	Avoid non-essential travel
Vietnam, Japan	🟡 Medium Risk	Measles	Verify MMR vaccination status
China, Cambodia	🟡 Medium Risk	Avian influenza H5N1	Avoid contact with live poultry

Comparison with Last Week

New Threats

UKHSA First Cold Mortality Report (UK): UKHSA published England’s first annual cold mortality monitoring report on 2/18. During winter 2024-25, 2,544 deaths were associated with three cold wave events. The report reveals the hidden health impacts of cold weather - primarily through indirect pathways such as heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory problems rather than direct hypothermia. High-risk groups include adults aged 65+, cardiovascular and respiratory disease patients, and dementia patients.
Foodborne Bacteria Antimicrobial Resistance Warning (Europe): ECDC and EFSA published a joint report on 2/18, indicating that ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella and Campylobacter remains persistently high, with ciprofloxacin no longer recommended for Campylobacter infections. More concerning is the rising detection of carbapenemase-producing E. coli in food-producing animals and meat - carbapenems are last-resort antibiotics for humans.
HCID National Risk List Update (UK): UKHSA updated the global High Consequence Infectious Disease risk list on 2/18, covering multiple pathogens including Ebola, Marburg virus, Nipah virus, and avian influenza. The list specifically notes the Nipah virus outbreak confirmed in Barasat, West Bengal, India on January 13, 2026.
RSV Vaccine PGD Template (UK): UKHSA published the RSV vaccine Patient Group Direction template on 2/17, providing standardized vaccination guidance for healthcare practitioners, supporting the national vaccination programme for pregnant women and adults aged 75+. This is an important guidance document for the RSV vaccine programme.
ECDC and PHAC International Cooperation: On 2/16, the Public Health Agency of Canada President visited ECDC, reflecting continued deepening of transatlantic public health cooperation, enhancing coordinated response capabilities to cross-border public health threats.

Escalated Alerts

Childhood Vaccination Campaign (UK):
- UKHSA launched a new childhood vaccination promotion campaign (2/16)
- Published MMR vaccine Easy Read guide (2/16)
- Reflects ongoing efforts by authorities to maintain high vaccination coverage rates, particularly following vaccine hesitancy in some areas post-pandemic

Continued Monitoring

Measles: 400 contacts of Taiwan’s first imported case (from Vietnam) continue monitoring until February 28. Global measles situation remains serious with 7,655 cases in Europe in 2025, 80% unvaccinated.
Pertussis (Whooping Cough): Household contacts of Taiwan’s first pertussis case continue monitoring until March 4. Global situation is severe, with Japan reporting over 80,000 cases last year - the highest on record.
Mpox (Monkeypox): UKHSA continues updating clade Ib and clade IIb epidemiological overview (updated 2/12), maintaining surveillance.
Influenza: Taiwan at peak influenza season, with 529 severe cases and 97 deaths this season. Approximately 93,000 doses of government-funded vaccine remain available.
Nipah Virus Disease: Outbreak in West Bengal, India continues under monitoring, with UKHSA adding it to the HCID risk list. Taiwan plans to list “Nipah virus infection” as a Category 5 notifiable disease by mid-March.
Avian Influenza H5N1: Winter peak continues with 30 human infections globally in 2025. Taiwan maintains Level 2 travel advisory for China and Cambodia.

Resolved / Downgraded

Tuberculosis Information Handbook: New item last week, now incorporated into routine resource library.

Trend Charts

This week's major epidemics remain stable, with measles and pertussis as sporadic cases, antimicrobial resistance monitoring report as annual data, and Nipah virus maintained under observation with no new cases.

Epidemic Events Over Past 8 Weeks

Chart requires JavaScript support. Text version data below:

W01: 35 events

W02: 42 events

W03: 38 events

W04: 45 events

W05: 52 events

W06: 48 events

W07: 44 events

W08: 42 events

Disease Distribution This Week

Chart requires JavaScript support. Text version data below:

Respiratory diseases: 35%

Vaccine-preventable diseases: 25%

Foodborne diseases: 20%

Zoonotic diseases: 15%

Other: 5%

Global Epidemic Overview

Emerging Threats

UKHSA First Cold Mortality Report - United Kingdom

Cold weather affects health primarily through indirect pathways such as heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory problems rather than direct hypothermia. These effects may manifest days or even weeks after exposure.

UKHSA published its first annual cold mortality monitoring report on February 18, revealing the hidden health impacts of cold weather:

Key Findings (Winter 2024-25):

Cold Wave Event	Duration	Deaths
November cold wave	Short-term	421
Early January (first)	Short-term	493
Early January (main event)	6 days	1,630
Total	-	2,544

High-Risk Groups:

Adults aged 65+ (risk increases sharply above age 85)
Cardiovascular or respiratory disease patients
Dementia patients
Those in fuel poverty or poorly insulated housing

Mortality Timing Effects:

Mortality peaks approximately 5 days after cold exposure
Cardiac-related deaths appear with delayed onset
Respiratory and infection-related deaths have longer delays

Even short-term cold can lead to significant increases in mortality, typically occurring days or weeks after exposure. — Dr Agostinho Sousa, UKHSA Chief Medical Advisor, 2026-02-18

Vulnerability Trends: Compared to the past five years, mortality risk rises more steeply as temperatures drop, potentially driven by population aging and increased disease burden.

Sources:

uk_ukhsa_updates/surveillance/2026-02-18-ukhsa-publishes-first-cold-mortality-report.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
uk_ukhsa_updates/surveillance/2026-02-18-cold-weather-health-impact-report.md [NEW THIS WEEK]

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Date	Title	Source	Relevance Score
2026-02-18	Cold mortality monitoring report, England: winter 2024 to 2025	UKHSA	0.72
2026-01-23	Yellow cold-health alert issued for North West and North East England	UKHSA	0.61
2021-02-18	Death Rates Attributed to Excessive Cold or Hypothermia (US)	US CDC MMWR	0.57

Foodborne Bacteria Antimicrobial Resistance - Europe

Ciprofloxacin resistance in Salmonella and Campylobacter remains persistently high, with ciprofloxacin no longer recommended for Campylobacter infections. The rising detection of carbapenemase-producing E. coli in food-producing animals is a serious warning sign.

ECDC and EFSA published a joint report on February 18:

Key Findings:

Resistance Type	Status	Risk Assessment
Ciprofloxacin	High resistance in Salmonella, Campylobacter	No longer recommended for Campylobacter
Ampicillin, Tetracyclines, Sulfonamides	Widespread resistance	Continued monitoring
Carbapenems	Rising carbapenemase-producing E. coli detection	Serious warning

Critical Carbapenem Warning:

Multiple countries detecting carbapenemase-producing E. coli in food-producing animals and meat
Carbapenems are last-resort antibiotics for humans, not authorized for animal use
Source requires further investigation

Improving Trends:

Human Salmonella ampicillin resistance: declining in 19 countries
Broiler tetracycline resistance declining
Erythromycin resistance declining in multiple countries

Recommendation: Adopt One Health strategy, coordinating actions across human health, animal health, and food production sectors.

Source: ecdc_cdtr/guidance/2026-02-18-antimicrobial-resistance-foodborne-bacteria.md [NEW THIS WEEK]

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Date	Title	Source	Relevance Score
2024-05-30	Multidrug-Resistant Salmonella Newport in Mexico	US CDC Travel	0.54
2023-11-09	MDR Salmonella Newport Linked to Travel to Mexico	US CDC MMWR	0.52
2024-07-03	Reported Incidence of Foodborne Pathogen Infections	US CDC MMWR	0.51

RSV Vaccine Programme Progress - United Kingdom

The UK RSV vaccine programme targets pregnant women (to protect infants), adults aged 75+, and care home residents.

UKHSA published the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine Patient Group Direction (PGD) template on February 17:

Target Groups:

Pregnant women: Vaccination to protect newborn infants through antibody transfer
Adults aged 75+: Direct protection
Care home residents: Direct protection

Programme Significance:

Provides standardized vaccination guidance template for healthcare practitioners
Ensures safe and effective nationwide implementation of RSV vaccination programme
Combined with previously published RSV vaccination coverage data, forms comprehensive vaccine programme monitoring system

Source: uk_ukhsa_updates/guidance/2026-02-17-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccine-pgd-template.md

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Date	Title	Source	Relevance Score
2026-02-12	RSV older adults vaccination coverage in England	UKHSA	0.72
2024-05-30	Early Safety Findings Among Persons Aged 60+ Who Received RSV Vaccine	US CDC MMWR	0.65
2024-09-26	Maternal RSV Vaccination and Receipt of Nirsevimab by Infants	US CDC MMWR	0.64
2023-07-20	Use of RSV Vaccines in Older Adults: ACIP Recommendations	US CDC MMWR	0.64

HCID National Risk List Update - United Kingdom

High Consequence Infectious Diseases (HCIDs) are infectious diseases with high mortality rates, potential for human-to-human transmission, no effective treatment or vaccine, and requiring specialized infection control measures. Examples include Ebola, Marburg virus, and Nipah virus.

UKHSA updated the global High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) national risk list on February 18:

Covered High Consequence Infectious Diseases:

Ebola virus, Marburg virus
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF)
Nipah virus
Lassa fever
Avian influenza (H5N1, H7N9, H5N6, H7N7)
Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
Plague (bubonic/pneumonic)
Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS)

Risk Evidence Categories:

(a) Community transmission or zoonotic transmission
(b) Limited local transmission from imported cases
(c) Imported cases only
(d) Serological data only
(e) Unknown or limited information

Latest Outbreak Alert: Nipah virus outbreak confirmed in Barasat, West Bengal, India on January 13, 2026.

Source: uk_ukhsa_updates/guidance/2026-02-18-high-consequence-infectious-disease-country-specific-risk.md [NEW THIS WEEK]

ECDC International Cooperation Strengthened

ECDC-PHAC cooperation aims to strengthen global health security mechanisms, promote best practice exchange in epidemic surveillance and risk assessment, and enhance coordinated response capabilities to cross-border public health threats.

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) President Nancy Hamzawi visited ECDC on February 16:

Visit Objectives:

Strengthen cooperation between ECDC and PHAC
Enhance global health security mechanisms
Promote experience exchange between Europe and Canada in public health

Public Health Significance: This high-level visit reflects continued deepening of transatlantic public health cooperation, facilitating:

Best practice exchange in epidemic surveillance and risk assessment between Europe and North America
Enhanced coordinated response capabilities to cross-border public health threats
Closer cooperation mechanisms in surveillance systems and emergency preparedness

Source: ecdc_cdtr/situational_update/2026-02-16-phac-visits-ecdc-collaboration.md

UK Childhood Vaccination Campaign

The UK childhood vaccination campaign aims to increase routine childhood vaccination rates, strengthen parental awareness of vaccination importance, and reduce the spread of preventable diseases among children.

UKHSA launched a new childhood vaccination promotion campaign on February 16:

Campaign Objectives:

Increase routine childhood vaccination rates
Strengthen parental awareness of vaccination importance
Reduce transmission of preventable diseases among children

Supporting Measures:

MMR vaccine Easy Read guide published same day
Accessible format ensures clear, understandable health information for all needs groups

This campaign reflects UK authorities' ongoing efforts to maintain high vaccination coverage rates, particularly following vaccine hesitancy in some areas post-pandemic. — UKHSA Vaccination Campaign, 2026-02-16

Sources:

uk_ukhsa_updates/policy/2026-02-16-parents-vaccination-campaign.md
uk_ukhsa_updates/guidance/2026-02-16-easy-read-guide-mmr-vaccination.md

Continued Surveillance

Measles

400 contacts of Taiwan's first imported measles case of the year continue monitoring until February 28; global situation remains serious with 7,655 cases in Europe in 2025, 80% unvaccinated.

Taiwan Contact Monitoring Ongoing:

First imported case of the year (8-month-old male infant from northern Taiwan, infected in Vietnam)
400 contacts monitored until February 28
Taiwan 2025 cumulative total: 53 cases (34 imported, 30 from Vietnam)

Global Situation:

Europe reported 7,655 measles cases in 2025, 80% unvaccinated
Mexico reported 740 cases in January this year
Taiwan CDC issued Level 2 travel advisory for Vietnam and 6 other countries

Source: tw_cdc_alerts/imported_case/2026-02-12-measles-imported-case-vietnam.md

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Date	Title	Source	Relevance Score
2024-04-11	Measles - United States, January 2020-March 2024	US CDC MMWR	0.65
2023-11-16	Progress Toward Measles Elimination - Worldwide, 2000-2022	US CDC MMWR	0.64
2026-01-29	Measles Outbreak Associated with an Infectious Traveler - Colorado	US CDC MMWR	0.63

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Taiwan Contact Monitoring Ongoing:

First confirmed pertussis case of the year (5-month-old male infant from northern Taiwan)
Had received 2 vaccine doses on schedule but still infected
4 household contacts monitored until March 4

Global Situation Severe:

Japan: Over 80,000 cases throughout 2025 (highest on record), antimicrobial-resistant strains detected in multiple areas
United States: Over 700 cases in January this year, approximately 28,000 last year
Australia: Over 25,000 cases last year

Key to pertussis prevention is vaccination: infants receive five doses on schedule; pregnant women are recommended to receive Tdap vaccine during weeks 27-36 of pregnancy to transfer maternal antibodies to newborns.

Source: tw_cdc_alerts/domestic_outbreak/2026-02-12-pertussis-first-case.md

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Date	Title	Source	Relevance Score
2026-02-04	Pertussis: laboratory confirmed cases reported in England 2025	UKHSA	0.64
2026-02-05	Outbreaks under monitoring in 2026	UKHSA	0.59

Mpox (Monkeypox)

UKHSA continues updating Mpox clade Ib and clade IIb surveillance, with over 52,000 cases reported across 98 countries globally in 2025, 215 deaths, and community transmission of clade Ib appearing in Europe.

UK Epidemiological Overview Update (2/12):

UKHSA continues updating Mpox clade Ib and clade IIb surveillance reports
Tracking clade IIb cases since June 2022
clade Ib monitoring data included from January 2025

Global Situation:

2025 global cumulative: Over 52,000 cases across 98 countries, 215 deaths
Main endemic areas: Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo, Guinea, etc., primarily clade Ib)
European community transmission: clade Ib community transmission in France, Italy, Spain

Source: uk_ukhsa_updates/surveillance/2026-02-12-mpox-clade-ib-and-iib-outbreak-epidemiological-overview.md

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Date	Title	Source	Relevance Score
2026-02-12	Mpox clade Ib and clade IIb outbreak: epidemiological overview	UKHSA	0.79
2025-06-18	Clade Ib Mpox Outbreak - Kenya, July 2024-February 2025	US CDC MMWR	0.74
2025-01-14	Epidemiological update: Mpox due to monkeypox virus clade I	ECDC	0.67

Influenza

Global influenza activity is high, with A(H3N2) K-clade variants as the predominant strain; Taiwan has recorded 529 severe cases and 97 deaths this season, 60% among adults aged 65+.

Global Activity: High
Predominant Strain: A(H3N2) K-clade variants
Taiwan Situation:
- This season cumulative: 529 severe cases, 97 deaths
- Severe cases: 60% aged 65+, 82% with chronic conditions
- Government-funded influenza vaccine: approximately 93,000 doses remaining

Avian Influenza A(H5N1)

30 human infections globally in 2025 with 12 deaths, primarily reported from Cambodia (18 cases), China, United States, and UK; Taiwan maintains Level 2 travel advisory for China and Cambodia.

Global Cases: 30 human infections in 2025, 12 deaths
Main Reporting Countries: Cambodia (18 cases), China, United States, UK, Vietnam, India
Taiwan Poultry Outbreaks: 7 incidents as of January 30, 2026
Travel Advisory: Level 2 maintained for China (15 provinces/cities) and Cambodia

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Date	Title	Source	Relevance Score
2025-03-13	Human Cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) - California	US CDC MMWR	0.67
2025-09-04	H5N1 Infection in a Child with No Known Exposure - San Francisco	US CDC MMWR	0.62
2024-05-30	Outbreak of H5N1 in U.S. Dairy Cattle - Two Human Cases	US CDC MMWR	0.58

Nipah Virus Disease

Ongoing outbreaks in West Bengal, India and Bangladesh; ECDC assesses risk to Europeans as very low; WHO assesses global risk as low; Taiwan plans to list "Nipah virus infection" as Category 5 notifiable disease by mid-March.

Outbreak Locations: West Bengal, India (outbreak confirmed 2026/1/13), Bangladesh (ongoing)
Risk Assessment: ECDC assesses risk to Europeans as very low; WHO assesses global risk as low
Policy Development: Taiwan plans to list “Nipah virus infection” as Category 5 notifiable disease by mid-March
HCID List: UKHSA updated HCID national risk list on 2/18, adding West Bengal, India outbreak to tracking

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Date	Title	Source	Relevance Score
2026-01-29	Nipah virus disease cases reported in West Bengal, India	ECDC	0.62
2026-01-29	Nipah virus: what is it, where is it found and how does it spread?	UKHSA	0.61

Risk Assessment Updates

ECDC Week 7 Communicable Disease Threats Report

ECDC published the 2026 Week 7 (2/7-2/13) Communicable Disease Threats Report on February 13:

Monitored Items:

Respiratory virus epidemiology (EU/EEA)
Mass gathering event surveillance
Avian influenza
Chikungunya
Dengue
Nipah virus disease
Measles

Source: ecdc_cdtr/surveillance/2026-02-13-communicable-disease-threats-report-7-13-february-2026-week-7.md

Rabies Pre-Exposure Vaccine Request Form Update - United Kingdom

UKHSA updated the rabies pre-exposure vaccine request form on February 18:

Applicable to occupational exposure risk groups in England and Wales
Primary targets: Bat handlers, wildlife workers, laboratory personnel
Purpose: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for non-travel purposes

Source: uk_ukhsa_updates/guidance/2026-02-18-rabies-pre-exposure-request-form.md [NEW THIS WEEK]

Regional Updates

Europe (ECDC)

Week 8 Key Developments (2026/2/14-2/19)

Threat Item	Status
Foodborne bacteria AMR	ECDC/EFSA joint warning [NEW THIS WEEK]
RSV vaccine programme	UK releases PGD template
International cooperation	PHAC visits ECDC
Childhood vaccination	UK promotes campaign
Measles	Continued monitoring
Respiratory viruses	EU/EEA continued monitoring

Key Publications This Week:

Foodborne bacteria AMR joint report (2/18): High ciprofloxacin resistance, rising carbapenemase-producing E. coli
RSV vaccine PGD template (2/17): Supporting vaccination programme for pregnant women and elderly
Childhood vaccination campaign (2/16): Improving MMR and other vaccine uptake
ECDC-PHAC cooperation (2/16): Strengthening international public health cooperation

United Kingdom (UKHSA)

Key Updates This Week

Type	Event	Date
Surveillance Report	First Cold Mortality Report	2/18
Guidance Update	HCID National Risk List	2/18
Guidance Update	Rabies pre-exposure vaccine request form	2/18
Guidance Update	Cold mortality QMI document	2/18
Guidance Release	RSV vaccine PGD template	2/17
Policy Campaign	Childhood vaccination campaign	2/16
Guidance Release	MMR vaccine Easy Read guide	2/16
Guidance Update	Antenatal carbon monoxide check algorithm	2/16
Guidance Update	Tuberculosis information handbook	2/13
Surveillance Report	Mpox clade Ib/IIb epidemiological overview	2/12
Surveillance Report	RSV vaccination coverage	2/12

Key Issues:

Cold mortality surveillance: First annual report published, 2,544 deaths associated with cold weather
HCID risk assessment: Global High Consequence Infectious Disease national risk list updated
Vaccine programme progress: RSV, MMRV, routine childhood vaccines continue rolling out

Asia-Pacific Region

Taiwan (tw_cdc_alerts)

Event	Monitoring Until	Status
First imported measles case	2/28	400 contacts under monitoring
First pertussis case	3/4	Household contacts under monitoring
Influenza outbreak	Ongoing	Peak season, ~93,000 government vaccine doses remaining

Post-Lunar New Year Holiday Reminders:

163 hospitals opened special infectious disease clinics during Lunar New Year holiday (2/17-2/19)
Seek medical attention promptly if fever or respiratory symptoms develop within 3 weeks of returning from travel

India:

Nipah virus outbreak in West Bengal continues under monitoring (confirmed 2026/1/13)

Japan:

Severe pertussis outbreak: Over 80,000 cases throughout 2025 (highest on record)

Americas

Travel Health Notices:

Level 2 (Maintained): Suriname, Seychelles - Chikungunya
Level 2 (Maintained): Ghana, Liberia - Clade II Mpox
Level 1 (Maintained): Global dengue risk

Measles Outbreak: Continued cases in United States, Canada, and Mexico recently

Travel Health Recommendations

Post-Lunar New Year Return Travel Reminders

If you develop fever, respiratory symptoms, diarrhea, or rash within 3 weeks of returning from travel abroad during Lunar New Year, seek medical attention promptly and proactively inform your doctor of your travel history.

Seek medical attention promptly if fever, rash, cough, or other symptoms develop within 3 weeks of return
Proactively inform healthcare providers of travel and exposure history
If diarrhea symptoms occur, rest at home until at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve
Wear a mask and practice hand hygiene if experiencing respiratory symptoms

Level 2 - Enhanced Precautions

Destination	Disease	Recommendation
Suriname, Seychelles	Chikungunya	Mosquito prevention measures
Ghana, Liberia	Mpox (Clade II)	Avoid contact with patients, wild animals
China (15 provinces/cities), Cambodia	Avian influenza H5N1	Avoid contact with poultry
Vietnam, Indonesia, India, and 4 other countries	Measles	Verify MMR vaccination status

Level 1 - Standard Precautions

Destination	Disease	Recommendation
Multiple countries globally	Dengue	Mosquito prevention measures
Multiple countries globally	Measles	Verify MMR vaccination status

Nipah Virus Endemic Area Precautions

West Bengal, Kerala (India); Bangladesh:

Avoid contact with bats or pigs
Avoid drinking raw date palm sap and eating potentially contaminated fruit
Maintain good hand hygiene

High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) Travel Precautions

Travelers to HCID risk countries should:

Check UKHSA’s latest national risk list
Understand HCID risk types at destination
Prepare appropriate personal protective measures
If fever or other symptoms develop upon return, proactively inform healthcare providers of travel history

Public Health Guidance

Cold Weather Health Protection (New)

Key cold weather protection measures include: keeping indoors warm (at least 18°C), layered clothing, monitoring cardiovascular symptoms, ensuring adequate heating and food supply, especially for adults aged 65+ and those with chronic conditions.

High-Risk Groups:

Adults aged 65+: Ensure indoor temperature is at least 18°C
Cardiovascular disease patients: Monitor for chest tightness, breathing difficulties
Respiratory disease patients: Reduce outdoor activity, avoid cold air exposure
Dementia patients: Caregivers should ensure warmth measures

RSV Vaccination (UK New Guidance)

The UK RSV vaccine programme targets pregnant women (to protect infants), adults aged 75+, and care home residents.

Target Groups:

Pregnant women: Transfer antibodies to newborn infants through vaccination
Adults aged 75+: Direct protection
Care home residents: Direct protection

MMR Vaccination

Eligible Populations:

12 months old: First dose
18 months old: Second dose
Infants 6 months to under 1 year traveling to endemic areas may receive self-funded vaccination 2-4 weeks before departure

Pertussis Prevention

Routine infant immunization: One dose each at 2, 4, 6, 18 months and before school entry at age 5
Maternal vaccination (Important): Recommended self-funded Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, optimal benefit during weeks 27-36
Caregiver vaccination: Recommended self-funded Tdap vaccine for infant caregivers

Antimicrobial Resistance Protection Recommendations

Key to reducing antimicrobial resistance includes: only use antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor, complete the full course, practice food hygiene, and handle raw meat properly.

Only use antibiotics when prescribed by a doctor; do not self-purchase or share
Complete the full antibiotic course even if symptoms improve
Practice food hygiene when handling raw meat, avoid cross-contamination
Ensure meat is thoroughly cooked

Data Sources

This report is based on the following sources:

ECDC Communicable Disease Threats Report (ecdc_cdtr)
WHO Disease Outbreak News (who_disease_outbreak_news)
US CDC Health Alert Network (us_cdc_han)
US CDC MMWR Weekly Report (us_cdc_mmwr)
US CDC Travel Health Notices (us_travel_health_notices)
Taiwan CDC Alerts (tw_cdc_alerts)
UK Health Security Agency (uk_ukhsa_updates)

References Cited This Week

ECDC (ecdc_cdtr)

guidance/2026-02-18-antimicrobial-resistance-foodborne-bacteria.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
situational_update/2026-02-16-phac-visits-ecdc-collaboration.md
surveillance/2026-02-13-communicable-disease-threats-report-7-13-february-2026-week-7.md

UK UKHSA (uk_ukhsa_updates)

surveillance/2026-02-18-ukhsa-publishes-first-cold-mortality-report.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
surveillance/2026-02-18-cold-weather-health-impact-report.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
surveillance/2026-02-18-cold-mortality-monitoring-report-england-winter-2024-to-2025.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
guidance/2026-02-18-high-consequence-infectious-disease-country-specific-risk.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
guidance/2026-02-18-cold-mortality-monitoring-report-england-quality-and-methodology-information.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
guidance/2026-02-18-pre-release-access-lists-cold-mortality-monitoring-reports.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
guidance/2026-02-18-rabies-pre-exposure-request-form.md [NEW THIS WEEK]
guidance/2026-02-17-respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv-vaccine-pgd-template.md
policy/2026-02-16-parents-vaccination-campaign.md
guidance/2026-02-16-easy-read-guide-mmr-vaccination.md
guidance/2026-02-16-carbon-monoxide-antenatal-checks-algorithm.md
guidance/2026-02-13-tuberculosis-tb-factsheet.md
surveillance/2026-02-12-mpox-clade-ib-and-iib-outbreak-epidemiological-overview.md
surveillance/2026-02-12-rsv-maternal-vaccination-coverage-in-england.md
surveillance/2026-02-12-rsv-older-adults-vaccination-coverage-in-england-statistics.md
guidance/2026-02-12-brucella-laboratory-and-clinical-services.md
surveillance/2026-02-10-pneumococcal-disease-non-pcv13-serotypes.md
guidance/2026-02-10-mmrv-programme-healthcare-practitioners.md

Taiwan CDC (tw_cdc_alerts)

policy/2026-02-13-spring-festival-epidemic-prevention.md
imported_case/2026-02-12-measles-imported-case-vietnam.md
domestic_outbreak/2026-02-12-pertussis-first-case.md
policy/2026-02-10-cold-wave-lunar-new-year-flu-covid-policy.md
medical_advisory/2026-02-10-lunar-new-year-hiv-mpox-prevention.md
disease_info/2026-02-10-rabies-prevention-outdoor-activities.md

US CDC (us_travel_health_notices)

level_2_practice/2026-02-05-chikungunya-suriname.md
level_2_practice/2026-02-05-chikungunya-seychelles.md
level_2_practice/2026-01-26-monkeypox-ghana-liberia.md
level_1_watch/2026-01-22-dengue-global.md

Semantic Search Query Log

This report uses Qdrant semantic search to provide historical context, executing the following queries:

Query	Results Found	Highest Relevance Score
antimicrobial resistance foodborne bacteria Salmonella	5	0.65
cold weather mortality winter health England	5	0.72
RSV respiratory syncytial virus vaccine	8	0.72
measles outbreak vaccination 2026	8	0.65
pertussis whooping cough outbreak 2025 2026	8	0.64
mpox clade Ib outbreak 2025 2026	8	0.79
avian influenza H5N1 2025 2026	8	0.67
nipah virus India outbreak 2026	8	0.62

Cite This Report

**APA Format**

 EpiAlert AI Editor. (2026, February 18). Infectious Disease Threats Weekly Report 2026-W08. EpiAlert. https://epialert.weiqi.kids/Narrator/weekly_digest/en/2026-W08-weekly-digest

**BibTeX Format**

@misc{epialert2026w08en,
  author = ,
  title = {Infectious Disease Threats Weekly Report 2026-W08},
  year = {2026},
  month = {February},
  day = {18},
  howpublished = {EpiAlert},
  url = {https://epialert.weiqi.kids/Narrator/weekly_digest/en/2026-W08-weekly-digest},
  note = {Accessed: 2026-02-20}
}

Report generated: 2026-02-19T14:00:00+08:00 Next update: 2026-02-25 (2026-W09 Weekly Report)

Infectious Disease Threats Weekly Report 2026-W08

Key Highlights This Week

Action Recommendations

Vaccination Recommendations

Preventive Measures

Travel Alerts

Comparison with Last Week

New Threats

Escalated Alerts

Continued Monitoring

Resolved / Downgraded

Trend Charts

Epidemic Events Over Past 8 Weeks

Disease Distribution This Week

Global Epidemic Overview

Emerging Threats

UKHSA First Cold Mortality Report - United Kingdom

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Foodborne Bacteria Antimicrobial Resistance - Europe

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

RSV Vaccine Programme Progress - United Kingdom

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

HCID National Risk List Update - United Kingdom

ECDC International Cooperation Strengthened

UK Childhood Vaccination Campaign

Continued Surveillance

Measles

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Mpox (Monkeypox)

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Influenza

Avian Influenza A(H5N1)

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Nipah Virus Disease

Historical Reference [Semantic Search]

Risk Assessment Updates

ECDC Week 7 Communicable Disease Threats Report

Rabies Pre-Exposure Vaccine Request Form Update - United Kingdom

Regional Updates

Europe (ECDC)

United Kingdom (UKHSA)

Asia-Pacific Region

Americas

Travel Health Recommendations

Post-Lunar New Year Return Travel Reminders

Level 2 - Enhanced Precautions

Level 1 - Standard Precautions

Nipah Virus Endemic Area Precautions

High Consequence Infectious Disease (HCID) Travel Precautions

Public Health Guidance

Cold Weather Health Protection (New)

RSV Vaccination (UK New Guidance)

MMR Vaccination

Pertussis Prevention

Antimicrobial Resistance Protection Recommendations

Data Sources

References Cited This Week

Semantic Search Query Log

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