Pandemiology Watch (August 20-26, 2025)

MPOX
Africa
Sierra Leone: The latest update from the World Health Organization shows 5,149 confirmed mpox cases as of August 17, a surge of 35 cases since August 10. According to a report from Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on August 20, these cases are linked to clade II, with 5% of confirmed cases in children under 15 years of age and 52% of cases occurring in males.
Uganda: As of August 17, 2025, Uganda reported 6,522 6,512 confirmed mpox cases, according to the World Health Organization. This is an increase of 10 cases since August 10. These cases are linked to clade Ib.
Guinea: The World Health Organization has reported 527 cases in 2025 and one death in Guinea as of August 17. This is an increase of 93 cases since August 10. The outbreak is linked to clade II.
MEASLES
U.S.
As of August 20, 2025, Center for Disease Control reports a total of 1,375 confirmed measles cases in the U.S. in 2025. 13 % of cases have required hospitalization (173 cases of 1,375), and three deaths have been reported.
On August 21, 2025, the Alabama Department of Public Health confirmed the state’s first measles case in over 20 years, involving an unvaccinated child under five who contracted the disease while travelling.
Canada.
As of August 25, 2025, Canada has reported 4,718 4,638 measles cases where 70% occurred in children, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Ontario accounts for 50% of the total, followed by Alberta with 38%. 88% were unvaccinated, and 7% required hospitalization. Genotype D8 remains the most frequently detected strain. 1 death has been reported.
H5N1
U.S.
As of August 26, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not reported any cases of person-to-person transmission of H5N1 in the United States. The total remains at 70 confirmed cases and one death.
POLIO
As of August 20, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative reports two WPV1 cases and 42 WPV1-positive environmental samples in Pakistan. Angola and the Central African Republic have each reported one cVDPV2 case, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo has reported one cVDPV1 case. Tanzania has confirmed one cVDPV2-positive environmental sample, while Yemen has reported 26 new cVDPV2 cases.