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Pandemiology Watch (April 1-7, 2026).

Our latest report covers data from April 1-7, 2026. This update provides an overview of communicable diseases, highlighting key trends, emerging outbreaks, and notable developments. We have included direct links to the sources referenced, allowing for deeper insight.
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  • PandemiX Center (Research Centre)
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    By: PandemiX Center

    Surveillance Highlights

    According to STAT on April 2, 2026, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has temporarily paused diagnostic testing for pox viruses, including mpox, and rabies, which normally supports state and local health departments lacking specialized laboratory capacity. The pause is linked to staffing shortages and organizational disruptions, and some testing is expected to resume in the coming weeks. Experts warned that reduced federal laboratory capacity could delay diagnoses and weaken disease surveillance, potentially affecting outbreak detection and response.

     

    MEASLES

    US

    According to CIDRAP on April 3, 2026, measles cases in Utah continue to rise sharply, with 73 new cases reported this week, bringing the total to 362 cases in 2026, compared with 197 cases for all of 2025. Additional increases were reported in Arizona with 11 new cases (71  in total), North Dakota with 5 new cases (31 in total), and Texas with 5 new cases (175 in total). Washington reported 3 new cases (31 in total), and Idaho reported 1 new case (23 in total). Meanwhile, South Carolina reported no new cases for more than two weeks, and the outbreak could be declared over if no additional cases are identified by April 26.

    As of April 3, 2026, the United States has reported 1,671 measles cases so far in 2026, according to the Center for Disease Control. In 2026, the age group 5-19 accounts for 52% of the cases (868), and children under 5 years account for 21% of the cases (346). Of the cases reported in 2026, 93% were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status and 5% of the cases have been hospitalized (91). A total of 3,957 measles cases and three deaths have been reported to date. 

    Canada

    As of April 7, 2026, Canada has reported 733 measles cases in 2026, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. In 2026, 61% of the cases occurred in children (445). Manitoba accounts for 60% of the cases (442), and Alberta accounts for 32% of the cases (237) reported so far in 2026. 90% of the cases reported in 2026 were unvaccinated (657), and 7% required hospitalization. A total of 6,158 measles cases and two deaths have been reported to date.

     

    Influenza

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on April 3, 2026, 127 pediatric influenza deaths have been reported in the United States during the 2025-2026 flu season. In the latest weekly influenza surveillance report, four additional child deaths linked to influenza were reported. Most of the children who died were not fully vaccinated against influenza. 

    H7N7

    According to BEACON, citing Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan has reported its first locally acquired human case of H7N7, which is a low-pathogenic strain. The case involves a man in his 70s working in poultry farming. The patient has since recovered and was discharged on April 3, and authorities are monitoring close contacts, with three receiving preventive treatment. Genetic analysis showed the virus is related to strains found in local wild birds, with no mutations associated with increased transmission.

    H5N1

    As of April 7, 2026, the Centers fxor Disease Control and Prevention has not reported any cases of person-to-person transmission of H5N1 in the United States. The total remains at 71 confirmed human cases and two deaths.

     

    MPOX

    ​​According to a Eurosurveillance rapid communication published on March 26, 2026, mpox clade Ib spread rapidly in Berlin, between week 50 of 2025 and week 10 of 2026. A total of 35 clade Ib cases were identified in Berlin, all in men, with most infections linked to local transmission among men who have sex with men. The strains were closely related, suggesting the cases were connected, even though no direct links were identified. Clinical severity was similar to clade IIb, and the authors highlighted the need for targeted vaccination, improved testing, and continued genomic surveillance.

     

    Meningitis

    According to the UK Health Security Agency, 21 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease linked to Canterbury, Kent had been reported as of April 2, 2026, including 2 deaths. All confirmed cases were meningococcal group B (MenB), and 18 were linked to the outbreak strain subtype P1.12-1,16-183. All cases were hospitalised