As of May 2026, numerous disease outbreaks and epidemics are active worldwide, urging travellers to exercise caution. These include common respiratory viruses and serious zoonotic diseases posing significant health threats in specific regions. Major global outbreaks, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other health bodies, encompass COVID-19, cholera, dengue fever, measles, and mpox (formerly monkeypox).
Regional and Emerging Outbreaks
Other active regional and emerging outbreaks include Nipah virus, yellow fever, meningococcal disease, chikungunya, and avian influenza across multiple countries. The WHO has identified eight high-threat pathogens requiring constant surveillance due to their epidemic potential: Ebola, Marburg, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever, MERS-CoV, SARS, Nipah virus, Rift Valley fever, and Zika virus.
For real-time travel information and localised outbreaks, travellers should consult the CDC Current Outbreak List or Travel Health Pro. Below is an overview of the latest outbreaks as of May 1, affecting 19 countries.
Mpox Cases Spread Across Multiple Nations
On 27 April 2026, Denmark reported four confirmed clade Ib mpox cases, including one locally acquired infection with no travel history. On 13 April 2026, Poland detected its first clade I mpox case in an adult male with travel history to Slovakia; no onward transmission has been reported. Between 18 December 2025 and 25 April 2026, Madagascar recorded 1,196 confirmed mpox cases and three deaths, with clade Ib detected. As of 14 April 2026, Pakistan's Sindh Province reported 122 suspected mpox cases (25 confirmed), including nine deaths, with cases in Khairpur, Sukkur, and Karachi, affecting newborns.
Yellow Fever and Polio Outbreaks
On 25 April 2026, Ecuador reported a fatal yellow fever case in an 11-year-old child in Orellana Province, the first human case in nine months. In Malawi, a cVDPV2-positive environmental sample was collected on 19 February 2026 from Southern Province. Measles remains a major concern in Bangladesh, with 19,161 suspected and 2,973 confirmed cases reported between 15 March and 14 April 2026, including 30 confirmed deaths. Children under five are most affected, with highest cases in Dhaka, Rajshahi, Chattogram, and Khulna.
Dengue Fever in Multiple Regions
Martinique reported 1,009 dengue cases since early 2026, with DENV3 serotype. The Maldives recorded 1,908 cases as of 15 April 2026, an increase over previous years, across all atolls. Tonga declared a dengue outbreak after 24 laboratory-confirmed cases, with community transmission in Eua, Ha'apai, and Tongatapu.
Bolivia Faces Multiple Arbovirus Threats
Bolivia reported 36,007 suspected dengue cases since January 2026, a large increase from 2025, with DENV1 and DENV2 serotypes. Additionally, five yellow fever cases (two deaths) and 1,168 Zika virus disease cases were recorded, the latter already nearing 2025's total of 1,224.
Other Notable Outbreaks
South Sudan reported two cVDPV1 cases in the Upper Nile region with paralysis onset in February 2026. France identified 11 travel-associated Zika cases linked to Indonesia (mainly Bali) between July 2025 and March 2026. Colombia reported 21 Oropouche virus disease cases in 2025. Burundi is investigating an undiagnosed illness with 35 cases and five deaths in Mpanda district, presenting fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and jaundice; tests for Ebola, Marburg, Rift Valley fever, yellow fever, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever were negative.
Avian Influenza and Other Viral Threats
On 10 April 2026, Italy reported the first imported human case of avian influenza A(H9N2) in an adult returning from Senegal, also the first such case in the European Region. Nigeria continues to battle Lassa fever, with 3,831 suspected, 663 confirmed, and five probable cases, plus 167 deaths across 22 states by 29 March 2026; 85% of confirmed cases originated from Bauchi, Ondo, Taraba, Edo, and Benue states. Argentina reported 32 confirmed hantavirus cases and eight deaths between January and March 2026, in Buenos Aires, Salta, Chubut, Río Negro, Entre Ríos, and Jujuy provinces.
