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
Bundibugyo Ebola Outbreak Continues as Vaccine Trial Begins
The ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains a major public health concern, with more than 2,100 confirmed cases and over 800 deaths reported as of mid-July 2026. While transmission continues in the DRC, Uganda has reported no new cases since 21 June and has entered the 42-day surveillance period required before the outbreak can be declared over.
Encouragingly, the first human trial of an experimental Bundibugyo Ebola vaccine has begun at the University of Oxford. Developed using the same platform as the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, it is the first Bundibugyo-specific vaccine to enter clinical testing. Ebola disease caused by Bundibugyo virus, Democratic Republic of the Congo & Uganda
Supporting outbreak-related research, The Native Antigen Company will soon release recombinant Ebola proteins based on the sequence of the virus currently driving the outbreak, enabling the development of more relevant diagnostics and research tools. Ebola Virus antigens Archives - The Native Antigen Company
Airport-Associated Malaria Cluster Reported in Germany
German health authorities are investigating a rare cluster of airport-associated malaria linked to Frankfurt International Airport. Four airport workers, including subcontractors, developed Plasmodium falciparum malaria in early July despite having no recent travel history to malaria-endemic regions. The infections are believed to have resulted from bites by an infected Anopheles mosquito inadvertently transported on an international aircraft. All cases required hospitalization, with at least one admitted to intensive care.
Although such events are uncommon, similar clusters have previously been reported at Frankfurt Airport. ECDC considers the overall risk to airport workers and the public to be very low but highlights the importance of considering malaria in patients with unexplained fever, even without a travel history. Communicable disease threats report, 18 - 24 July 2026, week 30
Supporting malaria research and diagnostic development, The Native Antigen Company offers a broad portfolio of recombinant Plasmodium antigens for use in assay development, validation, and vaccine research. Plasmodium antigens Archives - The Native Antigen Company
Cyclospora: The Parasite That Refuses to Leave the Salad Bowl
Unlike bacteria, Cyclospora is a protozoan parasite that produces environmentally resistant oocysts capable of persisting in agricultural settings. Investigators suspect contaminated irrigation water as a key route of entry into the food chain. Once attached to leafy greens, the parasite can be remarkably difficult to remove, proving that some salad ingredients are more committed than others. Why Cyclospora Sticks to Lettuce — and What Actually Stops It on the Farm
As diagnostic and surveillance needs continue to grow, The Native Antigen Company supports infectious disease research through bespoke recombinant protein production, antigen and antibody generation, and custom assay development services. Contract Services - The Native Antigen Company
Norovirus outbreaks place a significant burden on healthcare systems, while current diagnostic methods often require specialized laboratory equipment. We developed a portable electrochemical sensor using a molecularly imprinted polymer that rapidly and selectively detects four norovirus genotypes with high sensitivity. The sensor remained stable for up to three months and successfully detected norovirus from swabbed, contaminated glove surfaces in approximately 15 minutes, with a 20-second measurement time. These results demonstrate its potential as a rapid, point-of-care screening tool for near real-time norovirus detection. ( featuring our Norovirus VLP portfolio: Norovirus antigens and antibodies - The Native Antigen Company)
Wild birds are the primary reservoirs of West Nile virus (WNV) and Usutu virus (USUV), but the role of wild mammals in virus transmission remains unclear. To assess exposure in the Netherlands, wild carnivores collected between 2020 and 2023 were tested for viral RNA and antibodies, revealing USUV RNA in 1.1% of animals and WNV or USUV antibodies in 1.5% and 1.9%, respectively. Positive animals included weasels, badgers, red foxes, and stone martens, with viral sequences closely related to those previously identified in Dutch birds and mosquitoes. These findings show that wild carnivores are exposed to both viruses and may serve as useful sentinel species for monitoring flavivirus circulation.
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is often regarded as severe and highly fatal, but growing evidence suggests that subclinical or minimally symptomatic infections occur and frequently go undetected. During the 2017 outbreak in Likati Health Zone, only 8 cases were confirmed despite many reported exposures. We evaluated the extent of asymptomatic or unrecognized Ebola virus infection and associated factors among contacts of reported cases.
Visit our References page to view all the peer-reviewed publications we've collated.
The Native Antigen Company, LGC Unit 3, Oxford Technology Park, Kidlington, Oxford, Oxfordshire OX5 1GN, United Kingdom, +441865595230
.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Copy%20of%20Lucigen%20Divider%20banner%20template%20(3).png)
.png?upscale=true&width=1120&upscale=true&name=Copy%20of%20Lucigen%20Divider%20banner%20template%20(4).png)
