Building the Future of Biodefense

Recommendation: Organizations in Canada should not sell or serve recalled Pillsbury brand Pizza Pop products while a multi-province E.coli outbreak investigation is ongoing. Anyone with this product at their workplace or home should dispose of it, including products that are not easily identifiable. People at high risk of E.coli-related complications may wish to avoid all Pillsbury brand Pizza Pop products while this investigation is ongoing.

Situation: Canada reported an E.coli O26:H11 outbreak linked to Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops this week. 20 cases were confirmed across 5 provinces from early October to late November, of which several individuals reported consuming Pizza Pops. 4 individuals were hospitalized, and there have been no deaths yet. Health officials estimated that the number of affected individuals is likely higher, estimating that for every 1 E.coli non-O157 case reported, there are 32 more cases that are not reported. Food recalls were announced for several Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops products, including Pepperoni + Bacon (30 pizza snacks), Pepperoni + Bacon (8 pizza snacks), Supremo Extreme Pepperoni + Bacon (30 pizza snacks), and FRANK's RedHot Pepperoni + Bacon (4 pizza snacks). See the linked source for full details on recalled products. Consumers were advised to discard or return any recalled products, particularly any products remaining in refrigerators or freezers. The investigation is ongoing. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Several countries in the Americas region are endemic for hantavirus. Hantavirus infections can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) or hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). HPS is more common in the Americas, while HFRS is typically found in Europe and Asia. Organizations in countries that are endemic for hantavirus should take measures to ensure rodent-free facilities. Rodent droppings should be cleaned with bleach; wet the soiled area with bleach before wiping up droppings to limit infectious aerosol generation. Employees should always wear gloves and N95 (or equivalent) masks when handling rodents or their droppings.

Situation: PAHO issued an epidemiological alert due to an increase in hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) cases across the Americas this year. 229 confirmed HPS cases, including 59 deaths, were reported across 8 countries, resulting in a regional case fatality rate of 26%. Most of the region's HPS cases were detected in Argentina, which confirmed 66 cases. Bolivia and Paraguay both reported higher numbers of cases compared to previous years. In Paraguay, more than half of the country's 27 HPS cases were linked to an outbreak associated with occupational exposure to road activities in Mariscal Estiparribia. Increased HPS lethality was observed in Argentina and Brazil compared to previous hantavirus seasons, with case fatality rates of 32% (compared to the previous 4-year average of 15%) and 55% (30%), respectively. [Confidence: Very High]

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: Further sequencing revealed that the HPAI detection in dairy cattle from Wisconsin was due to H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b genotype D1.1. This detection indicates a new spillover event from wildlife into dairy cattle. Most dairy cattle herds in the US were infected with the B3.13 strain, though two D1.1 spillover events were previously detected in herds in Nevada and Arizona from early 2025 (see PHC alerts on 2/14, 2/10, and 2/5). The D1.1 detection in the Wisconsin herd is distinct from the D1.1 detections in Nevada and Arizona. No further HPAI detections have been reported in Wisconsin since the initial detection. The D1.1 genotype circulates in wild birds and is associated with severe infections in humans, including the death of a Louisiana resident who had contact with a sick backyard flock and the severe illness in a child in British Columbia (see PHC analysis on 2/13). [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Influenza and other respiratory infections can impact employee absenteeism due to illness or caregiving duties. Organizations in Europe should provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members.

Situation: The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control released early estimates of seasonal influenza vaccine effectiveness. The 2025/26 influenza season in Europe started earlier than the previous 2 seasons, driven by the emergence of influenza A(H3N2) subclade K. While there have been concerns about vaccine mismatch, preliminary data indicate that current seasonal vaccines provide moderate protection, with effectiveness ranging from 52–57% against A(H3N2). Early vaccine effectiveness estimates should be interpreted cautiously due to limited data and potential changes as the season progresses. These preliminary findings support current efforts to offer vaccination to key populations to mitigate the season’s impact. Influenza activity in Europe is currently widespread at low-to-medium intensity, with influenza circulation increasing. The highest circulation is in children aged 5-14 years old, and increased hospitalizations have been observed in some countries, primarily among adults 65 and older. [Confidence: Very High]