Pandemiology Watch (October 14-20, 2026)
Ebola
According to the INRB-UMIE BDBV on October 18, 2026, Epidemic Dashboard, the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached 9,552 confirmed cases and 4,602 confirmed deaths. A total of 2,550 patients have recovered.
According to CIDRAP, on October 19, 2026, Kenya had confirmed eight Ebola cases, including a patient who died after travelling from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Kenya. The seven additional cases were among people who had contact with the initial patient, including healthcare workers and a family member. The latest case involved a 49-year-old person who had cared for the initial patient and was already in quarantine. Of the 130 identified contacts, 128 were being monitored in quarantine for 21 day.
Measles
US
As of October 16, 2026, the United States has reported 4,410 measles cases so far in 2026, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). In 2026, the age group 5-19 accounts for 42% of the cases (1,856), and children under 5 years account for 17% of the cases (742). Of the cases reported in 2026, 96% were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status and 10% of the cases have been hospitalized (451). A total of 6,699 measles cases have been reported to date. CDC lists three measles-related deaths in the United States in 2026, although it remains unclear which deaths are included in the national count.
According to CIDRAP, on October 20, 2026, the Pennsylvania Department of Health alerted healthcare providers to the risk of congenital measles, which occurs when the virus is transmitted from mother to baby during pregnancy. The alert comes after 66 pregnant women in Pennsylvania were diagnosed with measles this year, with at least six babies born with the infection. A 2025 measles outbreak in Canada documented nine congenital measles cases among 51 pregnant women infected with the virus. The Pennsylvania Department of Health recommends that women receive the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine before pregnancy. Unvaccinated pregnant women exposed to measles may receive immunoglobulin treatment within six days of exposure to help prevent infection.
Canada
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada on October 19, 2026, Canada has reported 1,124 measles cases (1,043 confirmed and 81 probable) in 2026 as of October 10. 61% of the cases occurred in children (678). Manitoba accounts for 60% of the cases (680), and Alberta accounts for 28% of the cases (311) reported so far in 2026. 86% of the cases reported in 2026 were unvaccinated (965), and 7% required hospitalization. A total of 6,547 measles cases and two deaths have been reported to date.
Influenza
H5N1
As of October 15, 2026, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had reported 71 confirmed human cases of H5N1 avian influenza and two deaths in the United States. No person-to-person transmission had been reported.
On October 15, 2026, the Yakima Health District (YHD) reported a confirmed case of avian influenza in a Yakima County resident who had been exposed to infected dairy cattle. The individual has not experienced severe illness or required hospitalization and is isolating at home. Public health officials are contacting people who have been in close contact with the individual to monitor for symptoms and assess whether further transmission has occurred. YHD is working with state and federal partners to support affected dairy farms, including providing guidance, testing for exposed individuals who develop symptoms, and access to personal protective equipment for workers.
Mpox
From October 14-20, 2026, there have been no significant updates on mpox outbreaks worldwide.