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Biothreat intelligence to deter and detect natural, accidental, deliberate and novel biological agents.
ADVISORY
Sierra Leone declares its mpox outbreak over
12/18/2025
Sierra Leone
Recommendation: Informational update only.
Situation: Health officials in Sierra Leone declared the mpox outbreak over this week after 42 days without a new case. The first case in the country was detected in January, after which the outbreak grew to 5,442 confirmed cases, including 60 deaths. The outbreak peaked in early May and has been in decline since then. [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
Multiple US states report new measles cases, including 2 airport exposures
12/18/2025
South Dakota, Butte CountyNorth Carolina, Wake CountyVirginia, Mecklenburg CountyVirginia, Campbell CountyVirginia, Lunenburg CountyCalifornia, San Luis Obispo County
Recommendation: Organizations in South Dakota, North Carolina, and Virginia should inform employees about the possible measles exposures and provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members. Measles is highly contagious and can quickly spread among unvaccinated individuals in a work environment.
Situation: Health officials across multiple states reported new measles cases, including 2 states reporting airport exposures. A Butte County, South Dakota measles case was present at the Rapid City Regional Airport on 12/10 while infectious. In North Carolina, a confirmed measles case traveled through Terminal 2 of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport in Wake County on 12/10. Virginia announced measles exposures associated with an out-of-state resident in Central and Southwest Regions at The Home Depot - South Hill (12/5), Wagon Wheel Cafe - Kenbridge (12/6), Lynchburg Livestock Market - Rustburg (12/8), and McDonald’s - Rustburg (12/8). Exposed individuals should monitor for measles symptoms (7-21 days from exposure). Finally, health officials reported a locally acquired measles case in San Luis Obispo County, California, the county's 1st measles case since 2018. No exposure locations were provided. [Confidence: Very High]
WATCH
New measles cases in Colorado and Michigan
12/17/2025
Colorado, Weld CountyColorado, Montezuma CountyMichigan, Oakland County
Recommendation: Organizations in Michigan and Colorado should provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members, and organizations in Michigan should inform employees about the possible measles exposure. Measles is highly contagious and can quickly spread among unvaccinated individuals in a work environment.
Situation: Two states, Colorado and Michigan, reported measles cases this week. 3 cases were reported in Colorado, 1 in a Weld County resident who recently traveled out-of-state to an area with an ongoing outbreak, and 2 cases in Montezuma County who were contacts of a previously confirmed case. No known public exposures were associated with the 3 cases. In Michigan, Oakland County confirmed its 2nd measles case of 2025. The individual may have exposed others at DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital ED in Commerce Township on 12/7. Exposed individuals should monitor for measles symptoms (7-21 days from exposure). All measles cases in Oakland County were linked to domestic and international travel this year. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Texas reports its 1st avian influenza outbreak in commercial poultry since April 2024
12/17/2025
Indiana, LaGrange CountyIndiana, Elkhart CountyTexas, Shelby CountyMinnesota, Waseca CountyNorth Dakota, Richland County
Recommendation: The primary impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in commercial flocks is the increased cost of eggs or poultry products when outbreaks become more widespread. Organizations sensitive to egg and poultry prices should have a contingency plan for price volatility. PHC recommends that continuity plans be reviewed and updated in preparation for high-consequence infectious disease threats.
Situation: From 12/9 to 12/16, 4 states reported large commercial poultry outbreaks due to avian influenza. 2 outbreaks were reported in Lagrange and Elkhart Counties in Indiana, affecting 14,300 and 6,200 duck meat birds, respectively. Outbreaks on turkey meat bird facilities in Waseca County, Minnesota, and Richland County, North Dakota, affected 20,900 and 19,500 birds, respectively. In Texas, avian influenza was detected on a commercial broiler production facility with 260,000 birds. This was Texas's 1st commercial poultry outbreak since April 2024. [Confidence: Very High]
ADVISORY
Wisconsin confirms its 1st ever avian influenza detection in dairy cattle
12/16/2025
United States of America, Wisconsin
Recommendation: Continued highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) transmission in cattle may increase the risk of viral reassortment and additional virus spillover into humans. No human-to-human spread of avian influenza has been detected. Organizations should follow the recommendations provided in the PHC analysis on 1/10 and 2/13, including lowering barriers to seasonal flu vaccines for their employees.
Situation: An HPAI detection in dairy cattle from Wisconsin, one of the top milk-producing states in the US, was reported this week. This detection was Wisconsin's 1st detection since the start of the national outbreak in dairy cattle in March 2024. The infected herd was detected through routine National Milk Testing Strategy surveillance, and sequencing identified the infection as HPAI H5 clade 2.3.4.4b. Last May, Wisconsin announced that it would implement monthly mandatory milk sampling under the USDA's National Milk Testing Strategy (see PHC alert 5/20). 1,084 HPAI detections in cattle were reported across 19 states in the US from the start of the outbreak, but detections declined in recent months, with only 1 outbreak reported in December (so far), November, and October. [Confidence: Very High]
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