FEMERAID International – the health service institution of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP) – provides all our Knights and Dames a monthly newsletter about current outbreaks and risks worldwide with recommendations. 

Should you require further medical information or guidance on how to protect yourself, feel free to reach out to us at secretary.general@femeraid.org or call +35699068790 

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

Burundi: Cholera infections, ensure safe food and water consumption, consider vaccination. Mpox outbreak, avoid contact with sick people. 

Central African Republic: Increase in mpox, avoid contact with sick people. Rift Valley fever outbreak in Ngaoundaye, avoid contact with infected animals, prevent mosquito bites. Congo (DRC): Mpox outbreak, observe strict hygiene measures, avoid contact with sick people. Suspected Ebola outbreak in Bolomba health zone in Equateur province, defer non-essential travel. 

Ethiopia: Malaria outbreak, avoid mosquito bites, consider preventive medication 

Ghana: Cholera infections in several regions, select safe food and water, consider vaccination 

Namibia: Increased malaria in northern regions, avoid mosquito bites and consider preventive medication ,

Réunion (France): Locally acquired chikungunya, avoid mosquito bites 

Rwanda: Mpox outbreak, avoid contact with sick people 

São Tomé and Príncipe: Increase in cellulitis infections, follow routine hygiene measures 

Sierra Leone: Mpox outbreak, avoid contact with sick people 

Tanzania: Marburg virus outbreak, maintain strict hygiene measures, avoid contact with sick people 

Uganda: Cholera outbreak in Lamwo district, select safe food and water, consider vaccination. Mpox infections, avoid contact with sick people. Outbreak of Ebola in Kampala, consider deferring non-essential travel. Zimbabwe: Cholera outbreak in several districts, select safe food and water, consider vaccination 

Bolivia: Chapare virus infection in La Paz department, follow hygiene measures, avoid contact with rodents 

Brazil: Increase in mosquito-borne diseases, avoid mosquito bites. Oropouche fever in Espirito Santo state, prevent insect bites, reconsider travel if pregnant. Yellow fever infections in Sao Paulo state, vaccination recommended, avoid mosquito bites. 

Panama: Oropouche fever outbreak in Darien province, avoid insect bites, reconsider travel if pregnant 

United States: Human bird flu infections in California state, avoid contact with infected animals. Norovirus infections increasing, follow hygiene measures. Tuberculosis outbreak in Kansas City and environs (Kansas state), avoid contact with sick people, seek medical care if exposed. 

Asia & the Pacific: Bird flu infections in several provinces, avoid contact with birds, follow hygiene measures 

Australia: Increased Japanese encephalitis risk in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland states, avoid mosquito bites, vaccinate if eligible. Largest whooping cough outbreak on record, ensure vaccination is up to date. 

Bangladesh: Poor air quality in Dhaka and other cities, minimise exposure 

China: Mpox cluster confirmed, monitor for developments 

India: Guillain-Barre syndrome in Pune (Maharashtra state), maintain hygiene, choose safe food and water. Reduced air quality in Delhi NCR and other cities, minimise exposure. Undiagnosed illness in Rajouri district (Jammu and Kashmir union territory), follow hygiene measures. 

Japan: Increase in parvovirus B19 infections, pay attention to hygiene. Increase in respiratory illnesses, ensure vaccinations are up to date, follow hygiene measures. 

New Zealand: Increasing pertussis, check vaccination status 

Pakistan: Poor air quality in several urban centres, minimise exposure 

Philippines: Increased dengue activity in Negros Occidental province, avoid mosquito bites 

Samoa: Whooping cough outbreak, check vaccination status 

South Korea: Potential delays in accessing healthcare 

Taiwan (China): Increase in seasonal influenza, ensure vaccination is up to date, follow hygiene measures. Measles infections, ensure vaccination is up to date. 

Thailand: Reduced air quality, minimise exposure 

Vanuatu: Health implications following earthquake, select safe food and water, avoid mosquito bites. Influenza-like-illness on Efate Island, follow hygiene measures, ensure vaccination is up to date. 

Vietnam: Increase in measles, ensure vaccination is up-to-date 

Wallis and Futuna (France): Increase in diarrhoeal infections, select safe food and water 

France: Mpox infection in Brittany region, monitor developments 

Kosovo: Imported mpox infection, monitor developments 

Turkey: Increase in illness linked to contaminated alcoholic drinks in Istanbul, choose beverages carefully 

United Kingdom: Human bird flu infection in West Midlands, avoid contact with infected animals. Mpox infections, monitor developments. Increasing norovirus, follow hygiene measures. Poliovirus detected in wastewater, check vaccination status. 

Saudi Arabia: Health recommendations for travel during Hajj and Umrah, abide by entry requirements 

South Sudan: Cholera outbreak, select safe food and water, consider vaccination 

4 February 2025