Pandemiology Watch (August 5-11, 2026)
Trump and MMR vaccine changes
According to CIDRAP on August 10, 2026, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to break up the combined measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. The order calls for childhood vaccines to be administered at separate visits and would make individual measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines available instead of the current combined MMR vaccine. Public health experts have expressed concern that the executive order could reduce MMR vaccine uptake and increase the risk of infectious disease outbreaks.
Ebola
According to the INRB-UMIE BDBV on August 11, 2026, Epidemic Dashboard, the Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached 4,209 confirmed cases and 1,916 confirmed deaths. Health authorities are also investigating 270 suspected cases and 91 suspected deaths.
Vibrio vulnificus infection
According to CIDRAP on August 10, 2026, Louisiana has reported nine Vibrio vulnificus infections this year, including five deaths and four hospitalizations. All cases were linked to exposure to warm coastal seawater, and all patients had underlying health conditions. Health authorities are advising people with cuts or wounds to avoid seawater exposure, as the bacterium can cause severe infections, including necrotizing fasciitis.
Cyclospora
According to CIDRAP on August 6, 2026, the Cyclospora outbreak in Michigan appears to be declining. The outbreak has sickened 12,485 people, resulted in 279 hospitalizations, and caused two deaths. The outbreak, which has been linked to iceberg lettuce, has also spread to 15 US states.
Measles
US
As of August 7, 2026, the United States has reported 2,465 measles cases so far in 2026, according to the Center for Disease Control. In 2026, the age group 5-19 accounts for 48% of the cases (1,189), and children under 5 years account for 20% of the cases (481). Of the cases reported in 2026, 93% were unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status and 7% of the cases have been hospitalized (164). A total of 4,754 measles cases and three deaths have been reported to date.
Canada
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada on August 10, 2026, Canada has reported 1,114 measles cases (1,033 confirmed and 81 probable) in 2026 as of August. 61% of the cases occurred in children (673). Manitoba accounts for 61% of the cases (677), and Alberta accounts for 28% of the cases (311) reported so far in 2026. 86% of the cases reported in 2026 were unvaccinated (958), and 7% required hospitalization. A total of 6,534 measles cases and two deaths have been reported to date.
Influenza
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on August 7, 2026, 191 pediatric influenza deaths have been reported in the United States during the 2025-2026 flu season. In the latest weekly influenza surveillance report, one additional child death linked to influenza was reported.
H5N1
As of August 11, 2026, the Centers for 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.
Leggionaire’s disease
No further updates have been reported regarding the Legionnaires’ disease cluster in New York City. As of July 30, 2026, 92 cases and seven deaths had been recorded, and contaminated cooling towers had been cleaned and disinfected.
Mpox
From August 5-11, 2026, there have been no significant updates on mpox outbreaks worldwide.