Active Public Health Outbreaks: WHO South-East Asia Region (2024-2025)
The World Health Organization's South-East Asia Region (SEARO) is currently navigating a complex landscape of concurrent outbreaks. The period from late 2024 through mid-2025 has been defined by the re-emergence of high-mortality zoonotic viruses and the persistent expansion of vector-borne diseases.
Key Concern: The simultaneous circulation of Chandipura virus (highest outbreak in two decades), Nipah virus (fatal spillover events), and Avian Influenza H5N1 (human clusters) presents a significant challenge to regional health security.
Critical Alert
Chandipura Virus
India (Gujarat, Rajasthan)
Active Transmission
Dengue & Chikungunya
Region-wide
Emerging Threat
Avian Influenza (H5N1)
Cambodia, India
1. High-Lethality Zoonotic Outbreaks
Chandipura Virus (CHPV)
India is currently managing its largest Chandipura virus outbreak in 20 years. The virus, transmitted by sandflies, primarily affects children and progresses rapidly from flu-like symptoms to coma and death.
- Impact: 245 cases of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) reported.
- Confirmed CHPV: 64 laboratory-confirmed cases.
- Fatalities: 82 deaths reported (Case Fatality Rate: ~33%).
- Geography: Concentrated in Gujarat, with spread to Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Nipah Virus (NiV)
Both Bangladesh and India continue to report sporadic, highly fatal "spillover" events. The absence of approved treatments or vaccines makes early detection critical.
| Country | Period | Status | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Jan - Aug 2025 | 4 Confirmed Cases | 100% Fatal |
| India (Kerala) | May - July 2025 | 4 Confirmed Cases | 2 Deaths (50% CFR) |
2. Vector-Borne Disease Surge
Dengue and Chikungunya remain the most widespread burden in the region. 2025 has seen early surges in case numbers across multiple nations, driven by climate factors favoring mosquito breeding.
Dengue Case Volume (Early 2025 Snapshot)
*Note: Reporting standards vary. Bangladesh reports only hospitalized cases (1,161 in Jan 2025), likely underrepresenting the total burden compared to other nations.
Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
India: 224 confirmed cases in 2025 (as of Aug 12), down from 1,472 in 2024.
Nepal: High alert in the Terai region bordering India.
Chikungunya
India: 30,876 suspected cases (Jan-Mar 2025).
Indonesia: 3,608 confirmed cases (Jan-July 2025).
3. Other Critical Outbreaks
Avian Influenza (H5N1)
Cambodia: A concerning cluster of 11 human cases, with 7 occurring in June 2025 alone. 6 fatalities reported.
India: Human infection (clade 2.3.2.1a) confirmed in 2025.
Contrast: While Indonesia and Vietnam report outbreaks primarily in poultry, Cambodia and India are currently managing confirmed human spillover cases.
Cholera
Myanmar: Significant outbreak spreading to 9 regions (including Yangon and Mandalay). 333 cases reported in November 2024 alone.
India: Over 10,000 cases reported between Jan-Nov 2024.
Mpox
Status: 1,042 cumulative confirmed cases in the region (July 2022 - June 2025).
Recent Activity: New cases of Clade Ib detected in Thailand and India in mid-2025, signaling the need for continued surveillance despite lower overall volume compared to African regions.