Global infectious disease trends show rising influenza and Ebola outbreaks

Global infectious disease trends show a rise in influenza and COVID-19. In Japan, an early influenza outbreak involving the H1N1 strain has been detected since late August. Specifically, Okayama Prefecture issued an influenza advisory on September 28, marking the second earliest occurrence since 2000.

COVID-19 cases are increasing in Japan, the United States, and Europe, with the XFG Omicron subvariant becoming prevalent globally. In the United States, measles cases have surpassed 3,200 this year, the highest in 30 years, largely affecting those under 19 due to declining vaccination rates.

In Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is facing a major Ebola outbreak, with 7,773 reported cases and 3,759 deaths as of mid-September. Senegal has also reported diphtheria cases. In Asia, dengue fever remains prevalent in countries like Cambodia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, while India has seen a sixfold increase in malaria cases in Mumbai compared to a decade ago.