Pandemic & Infectious Disease — 2026-08-18
The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has become the country’s deadliest Ebola outbreak, while WHO and DRC officials advance plans for a Phase 3 vaccine trial. U.S. respiratory illness activity remains very low, but CDC monitoring continues for Ebola, Salmonella linked to jalapeños, measles, and New World screwworm.
Pandemic & Infectious Disease — 2026-08-18
Active Outbreak Tracker
Bundibugyo Ebola — Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda
- Status: Severe and expanding public-health emergency; the outbreak has been described as the deadliest Ebola outbreak in the DRC’s history.
- Key Development: The World Health Organization said the DRC outbreak had surpassed previous Ebola outbreaks in deaths. Reports this week said more than 2,000 people had died, with thousands of additional cases reported.
- Response: WHO and DRC officials are discussing an expedited, multi-arm Phase 3 clinical trial of Ebola vaccines.
Salmonella Javiana — United States
- Status: Active CDC investigation into an outbreak linked to jalapeños.
- Key Development: CDC published an investigation update on August 15 covering epidemiological findings and the suspected jalapeño link. The update indicates that public-health investigators are continuing to assess the outbreak.
- Response: CDC is coordinating epidemiological investigation and surveillance with public-health partners.
Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation | Ebola | CDC
Current Epidemic Trends (Based on Rt) | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDC
Investigation Update: Salmonella Outbreak, August 2026 | Salmonella Infection | CDC
Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC
New World Screwworm Outbreak | New World Screwworm | CDC
Measles Cases and Outbreaks | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC
Respiratory Illnesses — United States
- Status: Very low acute respiratory illness activity as of August 14.
- Key Development: CDC’s latest respiratory-illness update says the amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek health care is “very low.” CDC plans to resume seasonal influenza and RSV updates in fall 2026.
- Response: CDC continues national and community-level monitoring of COVID-19, influenza, RSV, and other respiratory illnesses.
Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation | Ebola | CDC
Current Epidemic Trends (Based on Rt) | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDC
Investigation Update: Salmonella Outbreak, August 2026 | Salmonella Infection | CDC
Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC
New World Screwworm Outbreak | New World Screwworm | CDC
Measles Cases and Outbreaks | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC
New World Screwworm — Central America and Mexico
- Status: Ongoing regional outbreak under CDC monitoring.
- Key Development: CDC’s current situation summary continues to track the New World screwworm outbreak affecting Central America and Mexico.
- Response: CDC is maintaining outbreak surveillance and situation reporting.
Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation | Ebola | CDC
Current Epidemic Trends (Based on Rt) | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDC
Investigation Update: Salmonella Outbreak, August 2026 | Salmonella Infection | CDC
Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel | Respiratory Illnesses | CDC
New World Screwworm Outbreak | New World Screwworm | CDC
Measles Cases and Outbreaks | Measles (Rubeola) | CDC
Vaccine & Treatment Pipeline
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Ervebo Ebola vaccine (Merck): WHO has called for a Phase 3 trial to assess Ervebo against Bundibugyo virus during the ongoing outbreak.
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Ebola vaccine candidates (multiple developers): WHO and the DRC are advancing discussions on an expedited, multi-arm Phase 3 clinical trial of Ebola vaccines.
- Moderna mRNA flu vaccine (Moderna): FDA approval was reported this week following Phase 3 results described as showing improved efficacy compared with standard influenza vaccines.
Expert Analysis
No recent expert analysis or opinion source published after August 11 was available in the research results. The WHO Disease Outbreak News page was accessed, but its body content was not extracted; therefore, no claims from that page are included.
Global Health Security
The U.S. White House issued an executive action titled “Delivering Gold Standard Childhood Vaccine Recommendations for Americans.” The action is presented as a federal policy affecting childhood vaccine recommendations.
WHO and the DRC are also working toward a multi-arm Phase 3 Ebola vaccine trial, an international research and response initiative intended to generate evidence during the Bundibugyo outbreak.
What to Watch Next
- Launch of the proposed Phase 3 Ebola vaccine trial in the DRC — Its design and start date will determine how quickly evidence can be generated against Bundibugyo virus.
- Further mortality and case updates from the DRC Ebola outbreak — The outbreak’s reported death toll and geographic spread remain the most consequential near-term indicators.
- Additional findings from the Salmonella jalapeño investigation — CDC epidemiological updates may clarify the source, scope, and affected jurisdictions.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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