Stages of an outbreak investigation - World Health Organization (WHO) When a disease outbreak occurs, responding swiftly and effectively is critical to protect public health and minimize the spread of disease The following steps outline a systematic approach to investigating an outbreak, from confirming its existence to communicating findings for future preparedness Each step is designed to ensure that the outbreak is thoroughly understood, controlled, and
Outbreak Toolkit - World Health Organization (WHO) The Outbreak Toolkit is specifically designed for epidemiologists and field investigators operating at the frontline of complex emergencies and in resource-limited settings It provides a comprehensive, up-to-date toolkit for investigating both infectious disease outbreaks and non-infectious events and hazards By offering standardized tools, the Toolkit addresses the critical need for data
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - World Health Organization (WHO) Coronavirus disease (COVID-19)The virus can spread from an infected person’s mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols It is important to practice respiratory etiquette, for example by coughing into a flexed elbow, and to stay home and self-isolate until you recover if
Chikungunya virus disease- Global situation Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne viral disease caused by the CHIKV, an RNA virus in the alphavirus genus of the family Togaviridae CHIKV is transmitted by infected female mosquitoes, most commonly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, which can also transmit dengue and Zika viruses These mosquitoes bite primarily during daylight hours and Aedes aegypti feeds both indoors and outdoors, whereas
Marburg virus disease– United Republic of Tanzania On 13 March 2025, the Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania declared the end of the Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak This declaration came after two consecutive incubation periods (a total of 42 days) since the last person confirmed with MVD died on 28 January 2025 and was given a safe and dignified burial, in accordance with WHO recommendations No new confirmed cases
Sudan virus disease – Uganda The current outbreak is the sixth SVD outbreak in Uganda Uganda also reported a Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in 2007 and an Ebola virus disease outbreak exported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2019 The latest SVD outbreak in Uganda was declared over on 11 January 2023
Multi-country outbreak of cholera, external situation report #28 -24 . . . Overview From 1 January 2025 to 29 June 2025, a cumulative total of 305 903 cholera cases and 3522 deaths were reported from 28 countries across three WHO regions, with the Eastern Mediterranean Region recording the highest numbers, followed by the African Region, and the South-East Asia Region No cases were reported in other WHO regions during this time In June 2025 (epidemiological weeks
Environment, Climate Change and Health A disease outbreak is the occurrence of disease cases in excess of normal expectancy The number of cases varies according to the disease-causing agent, and the size and type of previous and existing exposure to the agent
Trends of acute respiratory infection, including human metapneumovirus . . . In many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, trends in acute respiratory infections increase at this time of year These increases are typically caused by seasonal epidemics of respiratory pathogens such as seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and other common respiratory viruses, including human metapneumovirus (hMPV), as well as mycoplasma pneumoniae Many countries