Between September 2022 and March 2026, over 1’000 confirmed and possible cases of shigellosis and other gastrointestinal infections, including salmonellosis, have been detected in travellers returning from Cabo Verde to several countries in the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US), with new cases still being reported.
Most cases of shigellosis and other gastrointestinal infections, including salmonellosis, were linked to a hotel chain in Santa Maria, Sal Island. The exact source is unknown, but food- or waterborne transmission is likely, with some person-to-person spread also possible.
The likelihood of new infections in travellers visiting the Santa Maria region in Cabo Verde remains moderate. Additional cases of shigellosis and other gastrointestinal infections are expected until the source of infection is identified, and effective control measures are put in place.
On 24 Mar 2026, laboratory testing confirmed the presence of yellow fever virus in a deceased red howler monkey (Alouatta seniculus) in Trinidad, with no human cases reported.
The Ministry of Health carried out surveillance and vector control measures in affected areas after the detection.
Monkeys act as sentinel species for the environmental circulation of the yellow fever virus.
Prevention: Optimal mosquito protection 24/7, also against other mosquito-borne disease.
Vaccination: The Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine (ECTM) recommends Qdenga® vaccination only for travelers over 6 years who have previously had a dengue infection, see ECTM statement.
In case of fever:
As of 20 March 2026, the Campania region of Italy has recorded at least 154 hepatitis A cases (+21 within 24 hours) since the beginning of the year. The increase in cases is suspected to be linked to contamination of bivalve molluscs, prompting intensified control measures across the entire bivalve supply chain.
Cotugno Hospital, the regional reference center for infectious diseases in Naples, is managing 54 hospitalized hepatitis A patients as of 22 March 2026, including eight new admissions to the emergency department on that day alone.
In response, Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi issued an emergency ordinance banning the consumption of raw shellfish and related molluscs in all public establishments.
Follow local advices. Practice excellent hand hygiene and food safety and do not eat raw und undercooked sea food. Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended for people for persons at risk, see SOP hepatitis A at www.healthytravel.ch PRO version as well.
Regional health authorities have also ordered the strengthening and expansion of the free hepatitis A vaccination program for those most at risk: health and social health personnel, food supply chain workers, fragile patients and pediatric population, in relation to epidemiological risk and exposure.
As of 24 March 2026, 23 cases of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD), including two deaths have been reported. The earliest known case became unwell on Monday 9 March, and the latest had onset of symptoms on 16 March 2026.
All cases are young adults with a median age of 19 years. The majority of outbreak cases (20) have been found to have an epidemiological link with a club in Canterbury. Of the 3 cases who did not report attending the club, all are University of Kent students in university halls accommodation and one has a link to those who attended the club. French authorities have informed the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) of one confirmed case in France in an individual who attended the University of Kent.
UKHSA have confirmed that all the 20 laboratory-confirmed cases are meningococcal serogroup B.
By 20 Mar 2026, public health authorities had administered approximately 4500 MenB vaccine doses and more than 10’500 courses of prophylactic antibiotics as part of an expanded outbreak control strategy targeting university students, school contacts, and individuals with identified exposure risk.
The risk for travellers up to date with meningitis vaccination visiting the county of Kent is considered to be low.
Vaccination recommendations
Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of meningitis in returning travellers and include travel history in their assessment of IMD cases, particularly in relation to trips to England (especially Canterbury, or the Kent region).
According to WHO, in week 09 and 10, 2026 (23 Feb to 8 March 2026): 18 out of 26 countries of the enhanced meningitis surveillance network shared their meningitis epidemiological data.
Epidemics (incidence ≥ 10/100’000 inhabitants):
Alerts (incidence ≥ 3 and <10/100’000 inhabitants):
For previous epidemics and alerts, see news at www.healthytravel.ch.
Pathogens identified in 2026 (for updates, see LINK): S. pneumoniae 43%, N. meningitidis serogroup C 38.5%, N. meningitidis serogroup W 11%.
Vaccination with a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (Menveo® or Menquadfi ®) is recommended as follows:
If no alert or epidemic is reported, vaccination is recommended for travel to the ‘meningitis belt’ during the dry season (typically occurring from December to June) across sub-Saharan Africa if:
In addition, ensure all patients with an indication for pneumococcal vaccination are vaccinated according to the Swiss vaccination plan.
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