Research and analysis

Outbreaks under monitoring: week 14 (week ending 5 April 2026)

Updated 9 April 2026

Disease or pathogen	Avian influenza A(H7N7)
Location	Taiwan
Status	New
Reporting date	2 April 2026
Summary	On 2 April 2026, the Taiwan Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (in Chinese) reported the first locally-acquired human case of avian influenza A(H7) in Taiwan. The case was an individual with existing comorbidities, living in central Taiwan, where they worked as a farmer and had exposure to poultry. The case experienced symptom onset on 20 March 2026 and sought medical attention on 22 March 2026. Testing confirmed infection with avian influenza A(H7), which was later sequenced as A(H7N7) (in Chinese). Following isolation and clinical treatment, the case was discharged. Sequence analysis has shown that this H7 detection belongs to the Eurasian lineage and is similar to the avian influenza A(H7) detections in wild birds which have been observed in China for many years. In response to the detection of the case, health authorities launched an epidemiological investigation and have implemented control and prevention measures. A total of 33 contacts have been identified for monitoring and follow-up. This is the first locally acquired human case of avian influenza A(H7N7) in Taiwan. Since 1959, over 90 human cases of avian influenza A(H7N7) have been reported globally, most of which have been reported in the European Region, including in the UK. The last reported human cases of avian influenza A(H7N7) were recorded in Italy in 2013.
Further information	Avian influenza: guidance, data and analysis NaTHNaC country information page: Taiwan

Disease or pathogen	Mpox
Location	Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador and Singapore.
Status	New
Reporting date	1 to 3 April 2026
Summary	On 1 April 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) Ministry of Health (in French) announced the end of the national mpox outbreak which was originally declared in December 2022 following an increase in reported cases. As of 26 March 2026, 36,786 mpox cases have been reported in the DRC since January 2024. On 2 April 2026, the Singapore Communicable Disease Agency reported the first 2 confirmed cases of clade Ib mpox in Singapore. The first case was a male with no recent travel history who reported recent sexual contact and experienced symptom onset on 25 March 2026. The second case was a male with recent travel history (unspecified destination) and recent sexual contact, who experienced symptom onset on 26 March 2026. Both cases were hospitalised but have since been discharged and are isolating at home. Contact tracing is ongoing for both cases, and close contacts have been advised to seek medical attention if they start displaying any symptoms. On 3 April 2026, Ecuador’s Ministry of Health (in Spanish) reported the country’s first detection of clade Ib mpox. According to the press release, the case, identified through genomic sequencing, was determined to be imported. In response, health authorities have strengthened preventive measures including early detection and sharing information with the general public. In the UK, clade Ib and clade IIb mpox cases have been reported. Up to 28 February 2026, 34 clade Ib mpox cases have been reported. Most of the cases reported direct or indirect travel links to countries where clade Ib mpox is circulating.
Further information	Mpox: guidance Mpox clade Ib and clade IIb outbreak: epidemiological overview NaTHNaC country information page: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador and Singapore.