EIOS news feed
The Epidemic Intelligence from Open Sources (EIOS) monitors publicly available information to support the early detection of potential public health threats.
The news presented here are based on media reports from various countries and should not be interpreted as official GLEWS+ notifications of confirmed outbreak events. For more information on EIOS, please visit: https://www.who.int/initiatives/eios.
The Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced today (March 2nd) the first locally transmitted case of novel H7 subtype avian influenza in Taiwan. The patient is a man in his 70s from central Taiwan who works in poultry farming and has a history of chronic illness. He developed symptoms of runny nose, cough, and body aches on March 20th and sought medical attention at a hospital on March 22nd due to fever. He was admitted to the hospital on the same day. Imaging examination revealed pneumonia. Based on clinical symptoms, test results, and the patient's contact history, the doctor reported the case as a novel H7 avian influenza and administered antiviral medication. Further testing and gene sequencing by the CDC confirmed the virus as H7 subtype avian influenza. Sequence analysis showed that this H7 belongs to the Eurasian lineage and is similar to the H7 subtype avian influenza viruses monitored in wild birds (mainly ducks and anadidae) in Taiwan over the years. https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/bZE85LXA9ZGdCvEJKZe6Cg?typeid=9
A young male sea lion found deceased at Morro Strand State Beach tested positive for avian influenza (H5N1), also known as bird flu, marking the first confirmed case in a marine mammal in San Luis Obispo County.
The sea lion, estimated to be 1 to 2 years old, was sampled by the Central California Marine Animal Response Team (CCMART) on March 16. Laboratory tests conducted at UC Davis and the USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the virus on 25 March https://www.newtimesslo.com/first-case-of-avian-flu-detected-in-a-slo-county-marine-mammal-in-morro-bay/
During this winter (2025/2026 season ) , there have been 60 cases * of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry farms and 63 cases ** in wild birds so far .
* Status of outbreaks at poultry farms ( Total 60 cases ): Gyeonggi 14 , Chungbuk 9, Chungnam 10, Jeonbuk 8, Jeonnam 11, Gyeongbuk 5 , Gyeongnam 1, Gwangju 1 , Sejong 1
** Wild Bird Detection Status ( Total 63 cases ) : Gyeonggi 6 , Gangwon 9, Chungbuk 1, Chungnam 14, Jeonbuk 6 , Jeonnam 7, Gyeongbuk 3, Gyeongnam 5, Jeju 4, Seoul 4, Busan 2, Incheon 1, Gwangju 1. https://www.mafra.go.kr/bbs/home/792/577491/artclView.do
The Ministry of Health of the Kingdom of Cambodia would like to inform the public that there is 1 case of bird flu in a 3-year-old boy who was confirmed to be positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus on March 29, 2026 by the National Institute of Public Health. The patient lives in Tumnup Thmey village, Beng commune, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, and there have been reports of sick and dead chickens and ducks in the village. The patient has been isolated in hospital and is receiving intensive medical care. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the patient’s home has chickens and ducks, including some sick and dead chickens, which the child had played around. https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/cambodia/cambodia-h5n1-tracking/1029693-cambodia-2026-h5n1-cases-n-3#post1032335
Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has revealed that 311 people tested positive for Lassa fever in Bauchi State between October 1, 2025 and March 23, 2026, with 68 deaths recorded.https://leadership.ng/311-test-positive-for-lassa-fever-68-die-in-bauchi/
From January 1, 2026 to March 25, 2026, 14 people, including 3 children under 17, sought medical attention in St. Petersburg due to tick bites . During the specified period of 2026 , 11 cases of tick-borne borreliosis were registered, and no cases of tick-borne encephalitis were registered. http://78.rospotrebnadzor.ru/search/content/14810/
On 24 Mar 2026, laboratory testing confirmed the presence of yellow fever virus in a deceased Red Howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus) in Trinidad, with no human cases reported. The Ministry of Health implemented surveillance and vector control measures in affected areas following the detection. Red Howler monkeys serve as sentinel species for the environmental circulation of the Yellow Fever virus in Trinidad's forested regions. https://beaconbio.org/en/report/?reportid=29d77a5f-e5f3-4991-9558-b49e7bac14b4
In 2026, all detected cases have been fatal, according to the Sedes report.
The Tarija Departmental Health Service (SEDES) confirmed the second death from hantavirus this year, reaching a 100% fatality rate. The victim was a 30-year-old man from the Yacuiba area, who reportedly came into contact with wild rodents during agricultural activities. https://laoctavabo.com/2026/03/26/aumenta-preocupacion-en-tarija-hantavirus-cobra-su-segunda-victima/?amp=1
The case involved a 98-year-old woman with underlying illnesses residing in an old age home in Kwun Tong. She developed cough, fever, myalgia, and shortness of breath since March 7 and was admitted to a public hospital on March 9, where she was clinically diagnosed with pneumonia. Her sputum sample collected on March 12 tested positive for Chlamydia psittaci DNA. She was treated with antibiotics and remained stable throughout. During the incubation period, she had no travel history. It was noted that pigeons frequently perched outside the window next to the patient’s bed, where a lot of bird droppings was noted in that area. Health advice was provided to the old age home and property management to cleanse and disinfect area involved. Other residents were asymptomatic and have been put under medical surveillance. The case details were referred to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department for follow-up as appropriate: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/cdw_v22_3.pdfe.
A One Health–driven assessment of primate vaccination as an innovative emerging tool to curb urban yellow fever spillover, examining its scientific rationale, operational feasibility, and potential to strengthen prevention in rapidly evolving urban environments. https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2026/03/30/default-calendar/one-health-approaches-to-prevent-urban-yellow-fever-spillover-and-spread
A human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) infection in a returning traveller from a non-European country where the virus has previously been identified in birds, has been reported in the Lombardy region of Italy. This is the first human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) reported in the EU/EEA.
The patient has co-existing medical conditions and is currently in hospital isolation, receiving medical treatment. Italian public health authorities performed contact tracing as a precaution to identify and control possible onward transmission and initiated several epidemiological and microbiological investigations.
Since 1998, and as of 27 February 2026, 195 human cases of A(H9N2) had been reported worldwide by 10 countries in Asia and Africa. Only two infections were fatal. No clusters of human influenza A(H9N2) infections, nor documented instances of person-to-person transmission, have ever been reported. Direct contact with infected birds or contaminated environments has been the most likely source of human infection for avian influenza viruses. Sporadic human cases of avian influenza are not unexpected in areas where the virus is circulating in birds.https://flutrackers.com/forum/forum/europe/h5n1-tracking/italy/1031993-italy-imported-human-case-of-avian-influenza-lp-h9n2-in-lombardy-march-25-2026#post1032086
The confirmation of the first positive case in laying hens at a commercial establishment in the Metropolitan Region activated health protocols and led to the self-suspension of certifications to export poultry products. https://www.agritotal.com/nota/influenza-aviar-en-chile-suspenden-exportaciones-tras-brote-en-granja-industrial/
The Lombardy Region has identified a case of infection with the low-pathogenicity avian influenza A(H9N2) virus in a frail individual with underlying health conditions who contracted the infection from a non-European country and is currently hospitalized. The Ministry of Health announced this. This is the first human case of the H9N2 avian influenza strain detected in Europe.
Health authorities assure no cause for panic after monkey tests positive for Yellow Fever
Vasai-Virar region is witnessing a surge in dog bite cases, with an average of 166 cases reported daily in the first two months of 2026, civic officials said. Data from the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation shows that 10,120 dog bite cases were recorded in January and February this year. In 2025, the total number of cases stood at 46,000, up from 36,000 in 2024. The issue has gained urgency following the death of a nine-year-old child in Nalasopara, who contracted rabies from a dog bite. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/mumbai-news/166-dog-bites-a-day-in-vasai-virar-9-yr-old-s-rabies-death-sparks-alarm-101774380602879.html
Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries announced on the 25th that a poultry farm in Chitose City, Hokkaido, has experienced an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza. This is the 22nd outbreak nationwide in Japan this avian influenza season. https://www.chinanews.com.cn/gj/2026/03-25/10592291.shtml
On World TB Day, the World Health Organization (WHO) is urging countries to accelerate action to end tuberculosis (TB) and expand access to lifesaving services by using new innovations such as diagnostic tests that can be used near the point-of-care and tongue swabs that can help detect the disease faster, reaching more people. https://reliefweb.int/report/world/who-recommends-new-diagnostic-tools-help-end-tb
Avian Influenza Report is a weekly report produced by the Surveillance Division of the Communicable Disease Branch of the Centre for Health Protection. This report highlights global avian influenza activity in humans and birds. Avian Influenza Report
The Department of Rospotrebnadzor in the Voronezh Region reminds of rabies - a particularly dangerous acute viral infectious disease that ends in death and does not have seasonality of infection.
Over the past period of 2026, 14 cases of laboratory-confirmed rabies in animals were registered in the Voronezh Region in 10 districts of the Voronezh Region and the city of Voronezh. Cases of rabies were registered in dogs - 3, cats - 4, foxes - 4, one case each in sheep, goat and calf.
The number of victims in zoonotic rabies foci is 22 people.
1058 people (46.54 per 100 thousand population) turned to medical institutions of the region for anti-rabies care with bites, scratches, salivation.
Upon contact with wild animals, 26 people applied for anti-rabies help.
Cases of rabies among humans have not been registered in the Voronezh region since 2009.
To prevent the occurrence of rabies cases among humans, a number of rules must be followed:
- to purchase animals only in specialized organizations in the presence of veterinary examination;
- it is mandatory to vaccinate domestic and farm animals against rabies;
- avoid contact with stray animals, do not feed them by hand, do not stroke them;
- not to carry out the slaughter and destruction of dead farm and domestic animals on their own;
- it is mandatory to undergo preventive immunization against rabies for risk groups: veterinarians, hunters, foresters, rangers, etc.;
- immediately seek rabies care in case of bites, salivation and contact with an unknown animal.
As of 13 Mar 2026, Canadian public health authorities reported 178 laboratory-confirmed Salmonella infections linked to eating pistachios and pistachio products. Cases were found in Quebec (86), Ontario (66), British Columbia (14), Alberta (8), Manitoba (3), and New Brunswick (1). Twenty-five people have been hospitalized, and no deaths have been reported. Update on Salmonella outbreak in Canada linked to pistachios: 178 confirmed cases and 25 hospitalizations - BEACON
At least 10 to 12 people have fallen ill after eating anthrax beef at Chalnali village in Gurdaspur upazila of Natore. The cases had abscess-like wounds and swelling on their bodies. Three of them were admitted to Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) as their condition was critical. Without providing medical treatment, some villagers slaughtered the sick cow and shared the meat. 12 fall ill after eating anthrax-infected beef in Natore
A 45-year-old woman from far northwest Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province had been confirmed positive for H5N1 human avian influenza. Investigations revealed that the patient raised chickens and ducks, and some of her poultry fell ill and died. It was the second human case of bird flu so far this year after the first case was detected in mid-February.
After the first case of bird flu in domestic poultry in Montenegro, the presence of the avian influenza virus, subtype H5N1, in wild birds was also confirmed in Nikšić. The corpse of a magpie was found in Kočani, in the municipality of Nikšić, near the farm where the disease was confirmed in domestic poultry. https://www.gov.me/clanak/potvrden-slucaj-pticjeg-gripa-kod-divljih-ptica
Detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in birds in Europe have started to decline, following an autumn and winter period in which HPAI circulation in waterfowl reached its highest level in five years. According to the latest quarterly monitoring report from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the EU Reference Laboratory (EURL), the number of recorded outbreaks is higher overall than recent years for the same period. The risk for the general public remains low. https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/avian-influenza-detections-birds-decline-across-eu
Experts expect the tick season to begin in Russia at the end of March. Doctors also reminded people about protective measures and vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis. https://saint-petersburg.ru/news/2026/3/12/43102
The WHO has said the risk of the deadly Nipah virus spreading was low after three cases of infection were recently confirmed in India and Bangladesh
EIOS News Feed disclaimer
The EIOS news corresponds to dynamic feeds from media sources across different countries and should not be interpreted as verified by GLEWS+ or as confirmed outbreak events. All information is provided “as is,” and GLEWS+ makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or validity of the information contained herein.