Today in Public Health

Surveillance

Global Signal Desk

An interactive map and feed of source-verified public health signals. Not clinical or travel advice.

The Global Signal Desk tracks authoritative disease outbreaks, food and product recalls, climate- and environment-driven health threats, and other public-health alerts worldwide — each drawn from primary sources such as the WHO, CDC, ECDC, FDA, NOAA, and national ministries of health. Every signal is source-verified and reverified on a twice-daily scan. It is situational awareness for the public and for people working in public health — not clinical or travel advice.

Think of it as a public health OSINT (open-source intelligence) tool: it gathers openly published outbreak notices, recall records and climate-health alerts, and shows the primary source behind each one so you can verify it yourself. See how signals are sourced and rated or learn the same verification steps.

Latest daily scan

October 4 Global Signal Scan: carbapenem-resistant bacteria and multi-country cholera added

Changes applied · 20 retained · 2 added · 0 updated · 0 removed

Read & cite
1Critical
4Severe
14Significant
3Watch
Last verified October 4, 202622 active point signals

Active signals

Click a marker to jump to its card, or filter by severity, world, and confidence. Markers are representative points at the country or regional level — not exact incident locations.

Markers use representative points at the country or regional level, not exact incident locations. Placement indicates the affected area, not a precise site.

Severity
World
Confidence
22 of 22 active signals shown
  • CriticalHumanHigh confidence

    DRC Bundibugyo Ebola reaches 8,224 confirmed cases in WHO's provisional daily table

    WHO's daily table, data as of September 29, lists 347 suspected and 8,224 confirmed Bundibugyo Ebola cases in the DRC, 3,982 confirmed deaths, a 48 percent case fatality ratio, and 2,121 recovered. WHO says daily figures use the prior day's DRC government situation report and are subject to revision. These figures replace the September 30 desk's 7,890 confirmed cases and 3,799 deaths, which used a September 23 cutoff. The change is a newer data point, not a new event. September 30 WHO Africa operational metrics — beds, laboratories, tracing and the financing requirement — are not refreshed by this table and are not restated as current. Case fatality ratios from an ongoing outbreak shift as outcomes are recorded. ECDC reports that a healthcare worker who tested positive on September 29 was medically evacuated from the DRC to the Netherlands, the fourth case from this outbreak imported into Europe, and continues to assess the risk to Europe's general population as very low when appropriate infection-control measures are used. This is a controlled medical evacuation, not evidence of community transmission in Europe, and it does not change the DRC case counts above.

    Location
    Democratic Republic of the Congo · 63 health zones in seven provinces
    Representative point near the epicentre
    Last verified
    October 4, 2026
    5 sources
    Read signal
  • SevereHumanHigh confidence

    CDC reports 3,887 confirmed U.S. measles cases through October 1

    CDC lists 3,887 confirmed measles cases in 2026 through October 1, up from 3,659 through September 24. CDC counts 42 outbreaks, and 95 percent of confirmed cases (3,700 of 3,887) are outbreak-associated. Confirmed cases reflect cases reported to CDC by jurisdictions; recent infections may not yet be included because confirmation and reporting take time. The national total should not be read as uniform transmission throughout the country.

    Location
    United States
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 4, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • SevereHumanHigh confidence

    Suspected dengue cases and deaths rose in Bangladesh in mid-September

    WHO's September 23 South-East Asia epidemiological bulletin reports 10,135 suspected dengue cases and 35 related deaths in Bangladesh during September 14–20, compared with 9,247 suspected cases the previous week and 3,940 in the corresponding week of 2025. These figures are suspected cases, not confirmed cases. The bulletin also describes a national prevention campaign, hospital preparedness, and vector control.

    Location
    Bangladesh · national surveillance, not a single epicentre
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SevereEarthModerate confidence

    Prolonged flooding displaces more than 260,000 people in India

    GDACS rates the event Orange and reports 42 deaths and 260,529 displaced. Fresh heavy rainfall produced flooding and landslides in Kerala beginning September 20. Displacement creates credible shelter, injury, safe-water and sanitation concerns, although a current official health-sector assessment was not located.

    Location
    Multiple Indian states; fresh impacts in Kerala
    Regional representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • SevereEarthHigh confidence

    Nepal continues disease-prevention response after destructive floods

    WHO's September 23 South-East Asia bulletin reports that seven health facilities were damaged after the August 26 glacial lake outburst flood: four fully and three partially. By September 21, 66,888 people had received oral cholera vaccine and more than 832 frontline workers had received tetanus-toxoid-containing vaccine. Surveillance, water testing, chlorination, and continuity of care are underway.

    Location
    Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, Nepal
    Regional representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • SignificantHumanHigh confidence

    West Nile virus infections are spread across 16 European countries, not one uniform risk

    ECDC reports 1,765 locally acquired human West Nile virus infections in 202 affected areas across 16 European countries, based on data submitted through September 30, 2026. That is up from 1,569 infections and 186 affected areas in the September 23 data this desk first published. Sixteen areas were newly identified as affected in the latest week. The pattern remains distributed and seasonal, not a uniform risk across Europe, and ECDC's weekly overview is designed in part to support blood and other substances-of-human-origin safety decisions and is not a complete estimate of all infections. No single map point is shown, because a pin would imply an epicentre the surveillance does not support.

    Location
    16 European countries · 202 affected areas — distributed seasonal pattern, not a single epicentre
    Last verified
    October 4, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • SignificantHumanHigh confidence

    France reports 124 locally acquired chikungunya cases across 19 clusters; Italy one

    As of September 30, 2026, France had reported 124 locally acquired chikungunya cases across 19 clusters, including 34 additional cases and six new clusters since the preceding update, and 17 French clusters were active. Italy retained one locally acquired case in Rome, with its cluster still active. The increase and the number of active clusters materially change the regional surveillance picture. These are surveillance reports, not an estimate of every infection. No map point is shown, because the clusters are spread across two countries.

    Location
    Mainland EU/EEA · France and Italy — local clusters, not a single epicentre
    Last verified
    October 4, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SignificantHumanModerate confidence

    ECDC says carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales are spreading faster across EU/EEA hospitals

    ECDC's week-40 report assesses the epidemiological situation for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales as worsening rapidly. New genomic surveillance shows increasing geographic spread of Klebsiella pneumoniae carrying NDM carbapenemases, more isolates carrying both resistance and virulence genes, cross-border movement of mosaic plasmids, rapid spread of emerging sequence types including ST6668, and wider detection of E. coli carrying genes such as blaOXA-244. ECDC is describing genomic and epidemiological findings, not publishing a single population incidence count, so this desk does not add one. The risk is concentrated in health-care settings and among vulnerable patients.

    Location
    EU/EEA · regional, healthcare-associated spread across borders
    Last verified
    October 4, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SignificantHumanHigh confidence

    Countries reported 46,153 new cholera cases in a month, 34,378 of them in Afghanistan

    From August 26 through September 28, 2026, countries reported 46,153 new cholera cases and 140 new deaths. The largest numbers of new cases were reported from Afghanistan (34,378), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (8,505), Yemen (1,885), Angola (748) and Congo (299). ECDC compiled 249,136 cases and 1,970 deaths reported since January 1 through the source-specific country cutoffs used in its review. National reporting dates, surveillance systems and case definitions differ, so the country totals are not perfectly synchronized or directly comparable. This is a global situation, so no single map point is shown.

    Location
    Multiple countries · Afghanistan, DRC, Yemen, Angola and Congo lead new cases — global situation, no single epicentre
    Last verified
    October 4, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SignificantFoodHigh confidence

    Raw-milk cheese linked to 13 E. coli illnesses, eight hospitalizations, and three HUS cases

    CDC and FDA report 13 illnesses across nine states linked to Sierra Nevada Graziers grass-fed raw-milk cheese. Eight people were hospitalized, three developed hemolytic uremic syndrome, and no deaths have been reported. The cheese was distributed nationwide and has a long shelf life. The advisory is dated September 25. Today in Public Health first detected this signal on September 28 and published it on September 30.

    Location
    United States · nationwide distribution, not a single epicentre
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • SignificantFoodHigh confidence

    Broccoli sprouts linked to a Salmonella Bovismorbificans outbreak in six states

    FDA and CDC report 32 Salmonella Bovismorbificans illnesses across six states, with 3 hospitalizations and no deaths. Of 27 people interviewed, 26 ate sprouts or microgreens, and 22 ate broccoli sprouts. Product samples matched the outbreak strain by whole-genome sequencing. Evergreen Fresh Sprouts products were sold in Idaho, Montana, and Washington and may have moved farther. The products are past their expiration dates, but the investigation remains open. This outbreak is separate from the alfalfa sprouting-seed recall and from the mixed alfalfa E. coli and Salmonella investigation.

    Location
    United States · sold in Idaho, Montana, and Washington; may have moved farther
    Regional representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • SignificantAnimalHigh confidence

    U.S. rabies-exposure advisory remains active

    CDC reported increased human exposure to rabid or potentially rabid animals, a 17% increase in related inquiries and increased post-exposure prophylaxis utilization and administration errors.

    Location
    United States; multiple jurisdictions
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SignificantHumanHigh confidence

    Chikungunya outbreak continues in northwest Costa Rica

    CDC continues to identify an outbreak in northwestern Costa Rica and recommends enhanced precautions for affected areas.

    Location
    Northwest Costa Rica
    Regional representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • SignificantHumanHigh confidence

    Yellow-fever activity remains elevated in Tolima, Colombia

    Increased yellow-fever activity is concentrated in Tolima, including newly affected areas adjoining the historical vaccination zone. This remains geographically specific rather than a nationwide outbreak.

    Location
    Tolima Department, Colombia
    Department-level representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • SignificantGlobalHigh confidence

    Influenza activity rising across the Western Pacific

    The WHO Western Pacific respiratory-viruses surveillance bulletin for epidemiological week 37 reports influenza positivity rising from 14% in week 35 to 16% in week 37. Among influenza detections, A(H3) accounted for 48.4%, A(H1N1)pdm09 for 26.7%, and B(Victoria) for 23.8%. Activity increased across all transmission zones except Oceania, Melanesia and Polynesia. This is a regional surveillance signal and does not indicate uniform activity in every country.

    Location
    WHO Western Pacific Region
    Regional representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SignificantFoodModerate confidence

    FDA opens traceback into a new 11-case Listeria outbreak with no product identified

    FDA investigation 1415 lists 11 Listeria illnesses. The product is not identified. A traceback has been initiated, and the investigation is active and ongoing. This is a separate investigation from FDA refs #1417 and #1421. Confidence is high that FDA posted this investigation and this count, and low on source attribution because no food or brand is named. FDA has not identified a product, so there is no product-specific consumer action in the source. The case count may change.

    Location
    United States · national investigation, product unidentified
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SignificantFoodModerate confidence

    Unidentified-source E. coli O157:H7 outbreak rises to 38 cases

    FDA investigation 1421 lists 38 E. coli O157:H7 illnesses, up from 25 at first posting. The product is not identified. Traceback and sample collection have been initiated, and the investigation is active and ongoing. Confidence is high that FDA posted this investigation and this count, and low on source attribution because no food or brand is named. FDA has not identified a product, so there is no product-specific consumer action in the source. Illness counts lag exposure, and the total may continue to rise.

    Location
    United States · national investigation, product unidentified
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SignificantFoodModerate confidence

    Separate unidentified-source Listeria outbreak rises to 44 cases

    FDA investigation 1417 lists 44 Listeria illnesses, up from 40 at first posting. The product is not identified. A traceback has been initiated, and the investigation is active and ongoing. This is a different investigation from the 11-case Listeria outbreak, FDA ref #1415. The two counts should not be combined. Confidence is high that FDA posted this investigation and this count, and low on source attribution because no food or brand is named. FDA has not identified a product, so there is no product-specific consumer action in the source.

    Location
    United States · national investigation, product unidentified
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • SignificantFoodHigh confidence

    Alfalfa sprout outbreak linked to seed lot SAL2-24JB reaches 76 illnesses in 16 states

    FDA's October 1 update, detected by TiPH on October 2, says the multistate outbreak linked to recalled alfalfa seed lot SAL2-24JB totals 76 people in 16 states: 64 with STEC, 9 with Salmonella Agona and 3 with both. Six people were hospitalized. No deaths have been reported. Illness onsets range from May 31 to September 7, 2026. Of 50 people interviewed, 40 (80 percent) reported sprouts and 35 (70 percent) specified alfalfa sprouts. The investigation remains ongoing. The 16 illness states are not the product-distribution list. FDA's case-count table lists confirmed distribution in 45 states and Puerto Rico and says product could have been distributed further. Seed from the lot was also shipped to growers and distributors, including international shipments to Canada, Mexico, Tahiti and Venezuela. An earlier update on the same page said sprouts from one grower were a source of illnesses and did not explain all of them. The September recall notice's report of one illness to the company is a different unit from the 76-person outbreak total and is not added to it. FDA's instruction is specific to recalled sprouts and recalled sprouting seeds.

    Location
    United States · 16 illness states; wider product distribution
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal
  • WatchHumanHigh confidence

    Italy reports 59 locally acquired dengue cases across nine clusters; France six

    As of September 30, 2026, Italy had reported 59 locally acquired dengue cases across nine clusters and France six across four clusters. Italy added 12 cases and two newly identified clusters from the prior week, and all nine Italian clusters were active. France added one case, and none of its four clusters remained active. These are surveillance reports submitted to ECDC, not an estimate of every infection, and the figures remain subject to testing and reporting delays. No map point is shown, because the clusters are spread across two countries.

    Location
    Mainland EU/EEA · Italy and France — local clusters, not a single epicentre
    Last verified
    October 4, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • WatchHumanHigh confidence

    Hepatitis A outbreak reported in Costa Rica’s San José Province

    CDC reports a hepatitis A outbreak in Costa Rica, with most cases in San José Province. The Level 1 designation supports inclusion as a lower-severity localized signal rather than an elevated national emergency.

    Location
    San José Province, Costa Rica
    Province-level representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    1 source
    Read signal
  • WatchFoodHigh confidence

    U.S. Cyclospora surge remains under declining-season monitoring

    The unusually large seasonal increase remains epidemiologically important, but recent illness has declined. The Taylor Farms lettuce outbreak remains resolved and separate from this broader surveillance record.

    Location
    United States
    National representative point
    Last verified
    October 2, 2026
    2 sources
    Read signal

Global watch layers

Latest scan changes

The twice-daily scan stages every add, update, keep, and removal, then auto-approves and applies it. Each applied change is logged here for accountability.

Full review record
Resolved & archived signals2 past signals closed with a logged reason.

Methodology

How the desk decides what to show

The Global Signal Desk is deliberately transparent about its limits. Here is how signals are sourced, rated, reconciled, corrected, and — when the evidence isn't there — left off. Editorial owner: Elijah St. John. Feed as of 2026-10-04.

Read the full Signal Desk methodology, or learn to investigate a public health claim yourself.

Source hierarchy

A signal is logged only when a current, specific primary or authoritative source backs it — WHO, CDC, ECDC, FDA, NOAA, and national ministries of health first. Secondary reporting can point us to a signal but never stands in for the authoritative record.

Severity vs. confidence

Severity is the read on potential public-health impact (Critical, Severe, Significant, Watch). Confidence is how well-established the underlying facts are. They move independently: a strengthening El Niño can be high-confidence but still only a Watch.

Twice-daily scan & dedup

An automated scan runs twice daily, normalizes and de-duplicates records against their sources so one event is one signal, and compares them to what is live. Related datasets stay distinct — a broad seasonal total and a single ended cluster are reported separately, never summed.

Auto-approved, fully logged

Staged changes from each scan are auto-approved and applied, and every applied change is logged in the review record so the desk stays accountable. Signals that no longer meet the sourcing bar are removed and archived, not quietly deleted.

Absence is not safety

This desk is intentionally small and selective. A hazard not listed here is not necessarily low-risk — absence from the desk does not mean absence of risk. This is situational awareness, not clinical or travel advice.