Building the Future of Biodefense

Recommendation: Influenza and other respiratory infections can impact employee absenteeism due to illness or caregiving duties. Organizations in Tokyo, Japan, should provide flexible work schedules to support employees making vaccine appointments for themselves or family members.

Situation: Tokyo issued an influenza alert as cases have risen sharply. The warning threshold was more than 6 weeks earlier than last year, and marks the first time in 16 years that an alert was issued in November. In the week ending 11/9, medical institutions reported an average of 29 cases per facility, with 12 of 31 public health centers exceeding the warning threshold. 1,616 cases of influenza-like illness outbreaks in schools, social welfare facilities, and other facilities in Tokyo have been reported since 9/1, leading to 1,125 schools and childcare facility closures, far surpassing last year’s 99 closures for the same period. Officials urged residents to practice good respiratory hygiene, including handwashing and wearing masks to prevent infection. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: This preliminarily positive avian influenza human case in Washington does not change PHC's recommendations for organizations. No human-to-human spread of avian influenza has been detected so far. Organizations should follow the recommendations provided in the PHC analysis on 1/10 and 2/13, including lowering barriers to seasonal flu vaccines for their employees. Employees should avoid live-animal markets and not have contact with or consume diseased poultry.

Situation: Washington health officials reported that a Grays Harbor County resident tested preliminarily positive for avian influenza, with confirmatory testing pending. The individual is an older adult with underlying health issues who developed a high fever, confusion, and respiratory distress, and was hospitalized in early November. He is currently receiving treatment in King County. Officials are investigating to determine the potential sources of the infection, including contact with wild or domestic birds, but have not identified any risk to the public. Recently, the state reported highly pathogenic avian influenza in 2 commercial poultry farms in Grant (in Oct) and Snohomish (in Nov) Counties, neither of which is near the county of the current potential human case. The first human cases of H5 avian influenza in Washington state were reported in October 2024, totaling 15 human cases, and if confirmed, this current case would mark the first instance of human avian influenza reported in the state in 2025. There have been no human cases reported in the US since mid-February 2025. [Confidence: Very High]

Recommendation: PHC recommends reviewing and updating business continuity plans to prepare for high-consequence infectious disease threats. PHC will monitor the event and provide updates as needed.

Situation: Ethiopia reported a suspected viral hemorrhagic fever outbreak this week in Jinka. 8 suspected cases were reported. A rapid response team was deployed to identify the cause and limit further spread. Confirmatory testing is ongoing, with initial results expected on Friday or Saturday, according to Africa CDC officials. Ethiopia has never reported an Ebola or Marburg outbreak before. However, Jinka is near South Sudan and Kenya, which have previously reported Ebola Sudan virus and Marburg virus cases, respectively. [Confidence: Very High]