Travel Health This Week: CDC and WHO Updates for June 16 to 23, 2026

Each week we read through the new travel health notices from the CDC, the World Health Organization, and the US State Department so you do not have to, then translate them into plain language and tell you what each one actually means for a traveler. This week's headlines are a worsening Ebola outbreak in Central Africa, rising malaria in areas that used to be low-risk, and a multi-country diphtheria alert across Africa. None of this should cancel a well-planned trip, but several items are worth a few minutes of preparation. Below is the full roundup, with a link to each primary source so you can read the original notice yourself.

The Week at a Glance

• Ebola (Bundibugyo virus) outbreak grows in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda, with enhanced US entry screening now in effect.
• Malaria rising in Yemen and Mayotte, including areas previously considered low-risk.
• CDC diphtheria alert covers seven African countries.
• Mpox (clade II) outbreaks reported in Ghana and Liberia.
• Chikungunya outbreaks continue in Mayotte and French Guiana.
• Measles cases climbing worldwide.
• Hepatitis A outbreak reported in Manitoba, Canada.
• Polio still circulating in several destinations.

Ebola (Bundibugyo Virus) in the DRC and Uganda

The most serious story this week is the ongoing outbreak of Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a smaller linked outbreak in Uganda. According to WHO reporting, the DRC had recorded hundreds of confirmed cases and deaths, with the outbreak concentrated in the Ituri province and additional cases in North Kivu and South Kivu. The CDC recommends avoiding nonessential travel to the affected provinces. Separately, a US order issued on June 21, 2026 added enhanced public health entry screening for travelers connected to affected areas, and US citizens are advised to monitor for symptoms for 21 days after leaving an affected country.

What this means for travelers: This outbreak is geographically focused, and most safari and tourism itineraries in East Africa are not in the affected provinces. If your trip touches eastern DRC or western Uganda, review the specific provinces against the CDC notice and watch for any itinerary changes. There is no commercial Ebola prevention for the average traveler, so the practical steps are route awareness and symptom monitoring after return. Source: WHO Disease Outbreak News and CDC Travelers' Health Notices.

Malaria Rising in Yemen and Mayotte

The CDC posted notices for increased malaria in Mayotte on June 2 and in Yemen on June 11, and the Yemen notice specifically flagged cases in areas that had previously been considered low-risk. Malaria remains one of the highest-volume travel diseases worldwide, with an estimated 263 million cases globally in 2023 according to WHO.

What this means for travelers: Risk maps change, so a destination that did not require malaria pills a few years ago may warrant them now. If your itinerary includes a malaria-endemic region, confirm whether you need prophylaxis before you go. We unpack the prevention plan, including the antimalarial we prescribe most, in our deeper guide on why malaria is showing up in areas once considered low-risk. Source: CDC Travelers' Health Notices.

CDC Diphtheria Alert Across Seven African Countries

On June 2, the CDC issued a Level 2 diphtheria travel notice covering Chad, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Somalia. WHO documented more than 20,000 suspected diphtheria cases and over 1,250 deaths in Africa in 2025, with the regional total continuing to climb into 2026. The notice advises all travelers to affected areas to be up to date on diphtheria vaccination.

What this means for travelers: Protection comes from the same Td or Tdap booster that covers tetanus, and most US adults are overdue, since the booster is needed every 10 years. If you are heading to the region and cannot document a booster in the last decade, you are likely due. We cover who needs it and the timing in our guide on the 2026 Africa diphtheria surge. Source: CDC Travelers' Health Notices.

Mpox (Clade II) in Ghana and Liberia

The CDC notes outbreaks of clade II mpox in Ghana and Liberia, where the virus is endemic. Clade II mpox generally causes milder illness than clade I, and spread is primarily through close physical contact.

What this means for travelers: Most leisure travelers are at low risk. Those who anticipate close contact in affected areas, or who fall into higher-risk groups, can ask about mpox vaccination as part of trip planning. Standard precautions are avoiding close contact with people who have an unexplained rash and with sick or dead animals. Source: CDC Travelers' Health Notices.

Chikungunya in Mayotte and French Guiana

Chikungunya, a mosquito-borne viral illness that causes fever and often severe joint pain, remains in outbreak status in Mayotte and French Guiana. It shares its mosquito vectors and prevention strategy with dengue.

What this means for travelers: There is no specific treatment, so bite prevention is the protection. Use an EPA-registered repellent, cover exposed skin, and remember that the mosquitoes that spread chikungunya and dengue bite mainly during the day. A chikungunya vaccine exists for certain travelers and can be discussed during a pre-trip visit. Source: CDC Travelers' Health Notices and US State Department Travel Advisories.

Measles Cases Climbing Worldwide

The CDC continues to flag rising measles activity in many countries and advises that all international travelers be fully vaccinated with the MMR vaccine. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known, and outbreaks abroad are a frequent source of imported cases.

What this means for travelers: Confirm you have had two documented MMR doses, or evidence of immunity, before international travel. Infants between 6 and 11 months traveling internationally may need an early dose. Our MMR vaccine guide for travelers explains who needs what. Source: CDC Travelers' Health Notices.

Hepatitis A Outbreak in Manitoba, Canada

An item that breaks the usual pattern: the CDC and State Department flagged a hepatitis A outbreak in Manitoba, Canada, a reminder that travel health notices are not only about distant tropical destinations.

What this means for travelers: Hepatitis A is a vaccine-preventable liver infection spread through contaminated food and water and through close contact. The vaccine is highly effective and is part of the routine travel vaccine conversation. If you are not already immune and you travel often, it is worth confirming your status. Source: US State Department Travel Advisories.

Polio Still Circulating in Several Destinations

The CDC continues to advise that some international destinations have circulating poliovirus and that travelers should be up to date on polio vaccination before departure. Certain destinations may also recommend an adult booster dose.

What this means for travelers: Most US adults completed the childhood polio series, but specific destinations may call for a one-time adult booster. Check your destination's recommendations as part of your vaccine planning. Source: CDC Travelers' Health Notices.

How to Use This Roundup

A weekly scan like this is meant to flag what is changing, not to replace a real pre-trip plan. The pattern across this week is familiar: a few serious but geographically focused outbreaks, and several routine vaccine reminders that travelers tend to skip. The two highest-value moves for most people are confirming routine vaccinations are current and checking whether your specific destination calls for malaria prophylaxis or any destination-specific vaccines.

That is exactly what a pre-trip visit handles. When you start a visit with Wandr, our clinicians match the current notices to your itinerary, tell you what genuinely applies to you, and arrange any prescriptions or vaccines you need. For a broader walkthrough of the vaccine side, our guide on which travel vaccines you actually need is a good companion to this roundup.

Turn this week's headlines into a plan. Start your free pre-trip health check and let our providers tell you what applies to your trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is this travel health roundup updated? We publish a new roundup each week, summarizing the latest notices from the CDC, WHO, and the US State Department for the prior seven days. Each item links to the primary source so you can read the original notice. Outbreak situations can change quickly, so always check the linked source for the most current status before you travel.

Which travel health news should I actually worry about? For most travelers, the highest-value items are the routine vaccine reminders, like measles, diphtheria-tetanus, hepatitis A, and polio, because those gaps are common and easily fixed. Serious outbreaks such as Ebola are usually geographically focused, so the key question is whether your specific itinerary touches the affected areas. A pre-trip visit helps you separate what applies to you from what does not.

Do I need to do anything before my trip based on this week's updates? If your destination appears in this roundup, confirm your routine vaccinations are current and check whether malaria prophylaxis or destination-specific vaccines are recommended. Vaccines need lead time to work, and antimalarials must be started before you enter a malaria area, so the best time to act is during trip planning rather than the week of departure.

This roundup is a summary for general information and links to primary sources from the CDC, WHO, and the US State Department. It does not replace an individual clinical assessment. Outbreak details change frequently; verify the linked source before making travel decisions. Wandr's licensed providers review your specific itinerary and health history before recommending or prescribing anything.