Thisepidemiological bulletin aims to providethe situation of key infectiousdiseases intheWHOSouth-East AsiaRegionto inform risk assessmentsand responses. The bulletin usesinformation from publicly availablesources and Key events and updates......................................................................................................................2New publication: Sixteenth Meeting of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical AdvisoryGroup.......................................................................................................................................................................2Influenza............................................................................................................................................3Situation in the WHO South-East Asia Region..........................................................................................................3COVID-19............................................................................................................................................5Situation in the WHO South-East Asia Region..........................................................................................................5Mpox.................................................................................................................................................7Situation in the WHO South-East Asia Region..........................................................................................................7Dengue...............................................................................................................................................9Bangladesh...............................................................................................................................................................9India........................................................................................................................................................................10Maldives..................................................................................................................................................................12Nepal.......................................................................................................................................................................12Sri Lanka..................................................................................................................................................................13Thailand..................................................................................................................................................................14 Key eventsand updates New publication: Sixteenth Meeting of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization The WHO South-East Asia Regional Immunization Technical Advisory Group(SEAR-ITAG)serves as the regional forum for providing independent,evidence-based recommendations on immunization policies and strategieswithin the Region. Established by the WHO Regional Director for South-EastAsia, SEAR-ITAG plays a central role in shaping the regional immunization SEAR-ITAG is composed of experts from diverse fields including programmemanagement,communicable disease control,virology,epidemiology,immunization, and behavioural sciences. The group convenes annually, andasneeded,to review progress,identify emerging challenges,andrecommend strategic actions aimed at strengthening immunization systems The sixteenth meeting of SEAR-ITAG was conducted in a hybrid format in NewDelhi, India, from 16 to 18 September2025. This meeting marked a critical milestone in the Region’s immunization efforts, focusing on accelerating This year’s meeting built upon the outcomes ofseveral key regional forums,including the Regional CertificationCommission for Polio Eradication (SEA-RCCPE), the Regional Verification Commission for Measles and RubellaElimination (SEA-RVC), the Annual Regional Working Group (RWG) meeting, and a special session of SEAR-ITAG held Taking place as the Region nears completion of the RVIP 2022–2026, the meetingaimed to:review national and regional progress towards RVIP goals; ••address ongoing challenges such as zero-dose children, subnational disparities,•and surveillance gaps;•initiate expert consultations regarding the next RVIP beyond 2026; and•reinforce mechanisms for regional collaboration and accountability. The meeting further addressed the evolving immunizationlandscape, shaped byresource constraints, shiftingdonor priorities, and the need for resilient health systems. Discussions demonstrated SEAR-ITAG’s continuedcommitmentto sustaining immunization achievements,advancing equity-driven strategies,and fostering As a trusted advisory entity, SEAR-ITAG continues to guide WHO and its MemberStates in addressing compleximmunization challenges—ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of universal vaccine access and disease I