ARPA-H Identifies Three Promising Osteoarthritis Treatments After Multi-Year Investment

• On June 2, 2026, the FDA approved ensitrelvir for the post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19 in patients aged 12 years and older. • The regulatory decision follows positive results from phase 3 clinical trials, confirming the drug's efficacy in preventing infection.

• The PARTNERS clinical trial has officially opened patient enrolment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to identify the first effective treatments for Bundibugyo virus (BVD). • This international effort focuses on evaluating potential therapies for Ebola disease specifically caused by the BVD strain, utilizing facilities like the ALIMA Ebola Treatment Centre.

• A recent Ebola outbreak highlighted critical failures in early detection after weeks were wasted testing for the wrong viral strain. • Infectious disease experts Krutika Kuppalli and Placide Mbala argue that the inability to rapidly identify the specific pathogen hindered effective containment efforts.

• The United States risks losing its official measles-free status, which it has maintained since 2000, following a surge to 2,134 cases in 2026. • The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will conduct a formal review in November 2026 to determine if the country still meets elimination criteria.

• The CDC paused diagnostic testing for rabies, mpox, and over 24 other diseases in March 2026 following significant staffing reductions. • As of July 1, the agency has not provided public clarity regarding the restoration status of these critical diagnostic services.

• The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 22 novel drugs during the first half of 2026, expanding treatment options across various medical specialties. • Key approvals include copper histidinate (formerly CUTX-101) for Menkes disease, supported by two open-label studies involving 129 patients treated with subcutaneous administration for up to 3 years.

• CDC surveillance data indicates that parainfluenza virus and human metapneumovirus levels are currently elevated across the United States this summer. • Because no vaccines exist for these two respiratory viruses, parents are advised to monitor symptoms and understand the risks associated with these infections.

• Two peer-reviewed reports published this week analyzed measles outbreaks in Texas and South Carolina to determine the primary barriers to disease control. • The findings reveal that a lack of community trust, rather than simply low vaccination rates, serves as the central obstacle to stopping the outbreaks.

• The CDC is providing updates on Ebola outbreaks currently affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. • The agency is also preparing its "activation" strategy for the upcoming 2026 World Cup to manage public health risks.

• The Trump administration is reversing a decade-long policy of providing federal funding for clean needle programs, leaving syringe services in a state of uncertainty. • Experts, including former White House official Regina LaBelle, warn that these cuts may force programs to reduce hours or eliminate services, potentially triggering new outbreaks of blood-borne diseases.

• The CDC's malaria testing branch faced severe budget or operational cuts in spring 2026, surpassing the reductions seen in the rabies lab. • These cuts threaten the ability to identify specific malaria species, which is critical for determining the correct medical treatment for patients.

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new "blueprint" designed to assist nations in combating the escalating threat of fungal infections and antifungal resistance. • A concurrent CDC surveillance study reveals a sharp increase in *Candida auris* cases within US hospitals, rising from 2,882 in 2022 to 6,197 in 2024.