Dear Readers,

We are happy to share the 18th issue of the One Health Biweekly Update from the One Health Secretariat.

This edition provides a concise overview of recent developments in Bangladesh, the region, and around the world, featuring updates on disease outbreaks, emerging health threats, and other One Health issues drawn from official and credible sources. 

As our readership continues to grow, all previous issues remain available in our archive, reflecting the sustained interest and engagement of our growing readership. 

Thank you for being part of the One Health community and for supporting efforts to strengthen multisectoral collaboration for health security.

Dr. Nure Alam
Dr. Farhana Rahman
One Health Secretariat, Bangladesh

Measles transmission remained elevated in Bangladesh through mid-August 2026, with continued increases in reported cases and deaths. Between 1 and 15 August, the cumulative number of reported cases increased from 145,241 to 159,576, representing a 9.9% increase. The combined number of deaths increased from 840 to 902, including 62 additional deaths, while the case fatality rate (CFR) declined slightly to 0.57%. While the pace of increase was lower than in some earlier reporting periods, the continued rise in cases and deaths indicates sustained transmission. In response, DGHS has intensified its mop-up vaccination drive to reach children missed during earlier vaccination efforts, while strengthening infection prevention and timely case identification and management in health facilities. 

(Daily Star; DGHS Measles Press Release)

Preliminary findings from icddr,b provide no evidence that genetic changes in the measles virus currently circulating in Bangladesh have reduced vaccine protection. Among hospitalized children with suspected measles, those who had received both recommended vaccine doses were less likely to test positive. Genetic analysis of 55 virus sequences identified the circulating virus as belonging to the B3 genotype, which has also been reported in other countries. Although some genetic changes were detected, there is currently no evidence that they enable the virus to evade vaccine-induced protection. The findings provide important context for Bangladesh's ongoing measles outbreak and reinforce the value of completing the recommended vaccination schedule. Further investigation is needed to better understand the scale of the outbreak and infections occurring among some vaccinated children. Highlight the importance of vaccination, while further research is needed to understand the large outbreak and why some vaccinated children became infected.

(icddr,b)

Bangladesh has taken a step toward domestic production of vaccines against H9N2 avian influenza and goat pox, potentially reducing reliance on imported animal vaccines. Vaccine seeds developed from locally circulating strains by the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) were formally handed over to the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) for commercial production and field use.

The initiative represents an important move toward translating locally developed research into practical animal health interventions and strengthening national vaccine production capacity. Domestic production could also improve access to vaccines adapted to locally circulating strains and support disease prevention in the livestock and poultry sectors. 

Ahead Dengue transmission intensified markedly across Bangladesh during the first half of August 2026 amid the ongoing monsoon season. Between 1 and 15 August,7,492 additional cases were reported, increasing the cumulative case count from 15,681 to 23,173. This represents a 47.8% increase in cumulative cases compared with the previous reporting period. Thirteen additional deaths were also reported during the period, bringing the cumulative death toll to 67. 

Dengue transmission remained geographically widespread.  The greater Dhaka area reported 3,202 additional cases, accounting for 42.7% of cases reported during the reporting period. Outside Dhaka, the largest increases were reported in Khulna Division (1,099 cases) and Chattogram Division (1,098 cases). The latest pattern suggests that the dengue burden is no longer defined by Dhaka alone, with substantial transmission occurring across several parts of the country. As the monsoon continues, locally targeted surveillance, vector control, community action, and clinical preparedness will be increasingly important in areas experiencing rising caseloads.

(DGHS Dengue Dashboard)

Between July 27 and August 9, integrated respiratory surveillance tested 618 samples, including  327 from Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI) cases and 291 from Influenza-Like Illness ILI) cases. Of these, 9.87% were positive for influenza and 7.11% for SARS-CoV-2. The findings indicate continued circulation of both respiratory viruses, with an increasing trend in recent weeks.

A recent study by icddr,b has highlighted a high burden of hepatitis C among Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar. Hepatitis C infection was detected in 17.24% of Rohingya participants, compared with 1.01% of participants from the surrounding host community. Recent arrivals have shown similarly high levels of infection, indicating a continuing need for screening and treatment. Although nearly 59,000 patients have received antiviral treatment, around 50,000 remain untreated, largely due to funding shortages. The findings highlight the need for sustained screening, treatment, and prevention efforts among both refugee and host communities.

(BMC Public Health)

The Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) has called for integrating the One Health approach into higher education curricula to better prepare future professionals to address emerging health threats. UGC member Professor Dr Masuma Habib highlighted that zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, environmental pollution, and climate-related risks cannot be effectively addressed by any single discipline. She urged universities to incorporate One Health across relevant disciplines to build a skilled, multidisciplinary workforce for Bangladesh’s future health security.

An outbreak of Chandipura virus (CHPV) has affected children in Gujarat and neighbouring Rajasthan during India’s monsoon season. The virus, transmitted primarily by sandflies, can cause severe acute encephalitis, particularly in children. First identified in Maharashtra in 1965, the virus has caused periodic outbreaks of acute encephalitis in parts of western, central and southern India. In Gujarat, 35 laboratory-confirmed cases and 22 deaths have been reported among 184 suspected cases. A national multidisciplinary team is investigating the outbreak, including testing insects and domestic animals to understand how the virus is spreading. The investigation highlights the value of a One Health approach to emerging vector-borne diseases. 

Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the only countries where wild poliovirus type 1 (WPV1) remains endemic. Afghanistan has reported 15 wild poliovirus cases in 2026, while Pakistan has recorded three. Environmental surveillance has also detected 161 positive samples this year, indicating continued virus circulation even where no human cases are identified. Persistent transmission in both countries demonstrates that the risk extends beyond detected human cases and underscores the importance of maintaining high vaccination coverage and sensitive environmental and disease surveillance. Restrictions on house-to-house vaccination in Afghanistan remain a particular challenge because they can limit access to children and complicate efforts to interrupt the remaining chains of transmission.

(Amu TV)

Pakistan has reported its second Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) case of 2026, involving a 22-year-old man from Quetta. CCHF is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease mainly spread through infected ticks and can also be transmitted through contact with the blood or tissues of infected animals. Human-to-human transmission can also occur through exposure to the blood or bodily fluids of an infected person. The case highlights the risk to healthcare workers and caregivers, who can become infected through exposure to patients’ blood or bodily fluids. Strict infection prevention and control measures are therefore essential when caring for suspected or confirmed cases.

(The Tribune)

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 4,000 confirmed cases and 1,850 deaths, making it the world’s second-largest Ebola outbreak and the fastest-spreading on record. The outbreak has spread across five provinces and 53 health zones, with most cases reported in Ituri. Genomic analysis suggests transmission began months before the outbreak was officially declared, with delayed detection contributing to its rapid spread. Around 60–70% of deaths are occurring in communities, rather than treatment centres, increasing opportunities for household and community transmission. With no vaccine specifically targeting the Bundibugyo strain, WHO experts have recommended a clinical trial to assess whether the approved Ervebo vaccine could provide protection.

(CIDRAP and AlJejeera) 

A new study in nonhuman primates suggests that a one-time combination of three therapies given within three days of birth could potentially clear HIV infection in newborns. Researchers combined standard antiretroviral treatment with HIV-targeting antibodies and the experimental drug leronlimab. The combination cleared the virus, although exactly how it works remains unclear. The findings are promising, but the approach has yet to be tested in humans. The approach has not yet been tested in humans, but the findings could inform future research into whether very early combination therapy may prevent lifelong HIV infection. 

Scientists have used generative artificial intelligence to design complete virus genomes, 16 of which were able to replicate and kill E. coli bacteria in laboratory experiments. The breakthrough marks the first reported use of generative AI to design complete viral genomes that function inside living cells. The findings could eventually support new approaches to treating bacterial infections, including those resistant to antibiotics.  Researchers stress that the work was conducted using bacteriophages that infect bacteria, not humans, under controlled laboratory conditions. However, the ability of AI-generated genomes to produce functional viruses also raises important biosafety, biosecurity, and governance considerations. 

A human case of swine influenza has been confirmed in an Ionia County resident who exhibited swine at the Kent County Youth Fair in Michigan, USA, in early August. Health authorities are following up with exhibitors and families who may have been exposed to identify any additional illnesses. While the risk to the general public remains low, people recently exposed to pigs have been advised to watch for flu-like symptoms and inform healthcare providers about their exposure. The case is a reminder of the importance of surveillance at animal-human interfaces, particularly at agricultural fairs and other settings where people and livestock come into close contact.