Building the Future of Biodefense

Recommendation: The primary impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks in commercial flocks is increased cost of eggs or poultry products when outbreaks become more widespread. Organizations in Spain 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: Spain detected H5N1 in commercial poultry farms in Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura this month. Over 12,000 turkeys in Badajoz and 45,000 breeding hens in Toledo were affected by the outbreaks. These detections indicate a re-emergence of H5N1 in Spain since the last outbreak in commercial poultry in 2023. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Organizations with employees affected by the recent flooding in Beijing, China, should include health and safety-related information in their communications. This should cover adhering to local health guidance, wearing personal protective equipment, protecting open wounds, ensuring access to clean water, and warning about flood hazards like mold and cuts from submerged metal. Organizations can support mosquito control measures at their facilities by eliminating standing water. Employees should eliminate sources of standing water around their property and prevent mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing and using insect repellent.

Situation: Media sources reported that Beijing has experienced heavy rains and severe flooding across multiple cities and districts in recent days. Beijing activated a Level IV emergency response for flood control and ordered people to stay inside, closing schools, suspending construction work, and stopping outdoor tourism and other activities until the order is lifted. In addition to loss of life, flooding can cause extensive damage and increase the risk of future outbreaks of waterborne and mosquito-borne diseases. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: Norovirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in the US and is highly contagious. Organizations in Dukes County, Massachusetts, should provide flexible work schedules to allow sick employees (or those with caregiving duties) to stay home until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. Encourage robust hand hygiene, as the virus is not killed by hand sanitizer.

Situation: Health officials in Edgartown, Massachusetts, located on Martha's Vineyard, are investigating multiple cases of gastrointestinal illness linked to 2 restaurants, the Edgartown Yacht Club and the Edgartown Reading Room. Symptoms suggest norovirus, but confirmatory testing is pending. Both restaurants reported ill staff and voluntarily closed for 48 hours on 7/22 for deep cleaning. Affected staff were required to stay home for at least 72 hours after their symptoms ended. Officials issued a town-wide advisory promoting safe food handling practices and are working with the restaurants to prevent further spread. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: The polio vaccine is more than 99% effective in preventing poliovirus infection. Travelers to Pakistan should verify their polio vaccination status before travel.

Situation: Pakistan confirmed 3 new polio cases in children, rising to 17 wild poliovirus type 1 cases of 2025. 2 of the newest cases are from the districts of Lakki Marwat and North Waziristan in South Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 1 is from District Umerkot in Sindh. A vaccination campaign is underway in the bordering Union Councils, synchronized with Afghanistan’s sub-national polio campaign. Additionally, a fractional IPV-OPV vaccination campaign began in the District Chaman on 7/21 and will roll out in the other 6 districts of Balochistan from 7/28. [Confidence: Very High]