Happy Spring!🌷Please find the next edition of the Monthly Infectious Diseases Summary, our subjective look at the most important news of the month. Please let us know how you like it and if there is something interesting, we missed by contacting us at nac.contact@lgcgroup.com
MERS-CoV Update: Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Between September 2024 and February 2025, Saudi Arabia reported four MERS-CoV cases, including two deaths. One case was linked to hospital transmission, but no further secondary cases were detected. MERS-CoV primarily spreads through contact with infected dromedary camels or human-to-human transmission in healthcare settings. Symptoms range from mild respiratory issues to severe pneumonia. Since 2012, Saudi Arabia has reported 2209 cases.
With no vaccine available, surveillance remains crucial for early detection and outbreak control. We produce proteins that support serology diagnostics and vaccine development studies, contributing to global efforts in MERS-CoV research and preparedness. WHO continues monitoring the situation. Read more >>
Worsening Cholera Outbreak in Angola Poses Ongoing Threat
Angola has been facing a major cholera outbreak since January 2025, with 8,543 cases and 329 deaths (3.9% fatality rate). A third of the deaths happened outside health facilities. The outbreak has spread to 16 of 21 provinces, mostly affecting people under 20. The Ministry of Health, supported by WHO and partners, is responding through case detection, rapid response teams, community outreach, and vaccination. Due to the ongoing rainy season and cross-border movement, the risk of further spread remains very high. Read more >>
Discover our Vibrio antigens and antibodies here. 
Chewing gum to reduce influenza and herpes (HSV) virus spread
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine and collaborators in Finland have developed a lablab bean-based chewing gum that neutralizes influenza (H1N1, H3N2) and herpes (HSV-1, HSV-2). Published in Molecular Therapy, the study was driven by the need for new tools to reduce oral virus transmission. The gum meets clinical drug standards, and stability tests show the FRIL protein remains effective over time—supporting its potential for commercial use and FDA approval. Read more >>
UK’s New Watch List Highlights Emerging Disease Threats
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has identified 24 infectious diseases posing significant future risks, including zoonotic viruses like Oropouche, Nipah, and Lassa fever, as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae and Moraxellaceae. The UKHSA reports a sharp rise in infections like measles, whooping cough, tuberculosis (TB), and gonorrhoea, now accounting for 20% of hospital bed usage and costing £6 billion in 2024. Read more >>
TNAC supports global preparedness by producing high-quality recombinant proteins for serology diagnostics and vaccine research. Our portfolio includes proteins from Flaviviridae (Dengue, Zika), Paramyxoviridae (Measles, Nipah), Arenaviridae (Lassa fever), and bacterial antigens (E. coli, Staphylococcus, Gonorrhoea). With fast turnaround and gram-scale production, TNAC enables researchers to stay ahead of emerging threats.
A major expansion to elevate your assay development capabilities, this portfolio will feature Human LH, FSH, TSH, SHBG, and Prolactin.
Stay tuned!
In the meanwhile, our TORCH reagent portfolio has expanded. We’ve added to both our CMV & HSV portfolios, with morerecombinant HSV antigens coming soon!
Download our CMV Application Note to learn more about CMV by clicking the download button.
