Current Issues

The burden and epidemiology of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis and culture-confirmed cryptococcosis in South Africa, 2018–2023

Can surveillance data reveal trends in HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis in South Africa? HIV-associated cryptococcosis continues to contribute substantially to illness and death among people living with HIV in South Africa, despite important progress in expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Cryptococcosis is a serious opportunistic fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans or Cryptococcus gattii. It […]

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The use of whole-genome sequencing to investigate a foodborne-associated outbreak in a mental healthcare institution

What insights can whole-genome sequencing provide during foodborne disease investigations? Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis (Salmonella Enteritidis) remains a leading cause of foodborne disease outbreaks globally and continues to pose a public health challenge in South Africa. Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infections account for a substantial proportion of foodborne illnesses worldwide, with the World Health Organization estimating

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Differential viral causes of vesicular rash in adults with suspected mpox in South Africa

Can investigating viral causes of vesicular rash reduce misclassification of mpox cases in South Africa? Mpox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV) and remains a public health concern globally. Prior to 2022, human mpox was reported sporadically from a limited number of countries in West and Central Africa. Since 2022,

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Epidemiology of respiratory pathogens in South Africa, 2023

How can sentinel surveillance uncover patterns of respiratory infections and guide public health responses? Respiratory viruses are a major cause of illness affecting both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, with seasonal peaks typically observed during the autumn and winter months. Pathogens such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2 continue to contribute substantially

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Occupational cancer mortality in South Africa: insights from national data, 2011–2015

Can mortality data help reveal hidden cancer risks across South Africa’s workplaces? Cancer poses a significant public health challenge in South Africa, yet understanding how workplace exposures contribute to cancer risk remains limited. Traditional surveillance systems often lack detailed occupational information, making it difficult to identify high-risk industries or exposure patterns. Mortality data provides a

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Tracking infectious agents through wastewater in South Africa: measles, rubella, hepatitis, influenza, mpox, and tuberculosis, 2024

Can wastewater surveillance reveal hidden disease trends and strengthen public health in South Africa? Infectious diseases caused by viral and bacterial pathogens remain a major public health concern. Traditional surveillance systems, which rely on laboratory-confirmed cases, can be affected by socioeconomic factors, delayed healthcare-seeking, and under-reporting. These challenges can obscure the true burden of disease

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Antimicrobial resistance: The threat we can see, if we choose to look

The burden of antimicrobial resistance Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the most critical global health threats, which could result in 169 million people dying of AMR-related causes between 2025 and 2050. Despite the magnitude, it is a “silent pandemic” because it receives far less attention than traditional pandemics. However, if we examine the problem

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Advocating for meningococcal vaccination among tertiary students in South Africa (policy brief)

How can increased meningococcal vaccination protect South Africa’s university students from this disease? Meningococcal disease is a devastating illness that affects healthy young individuals, many of whom are tertiary students. It can result in sudden death or long-term sequelae such as blindness, deafness, or amputations. Newly acquired meningococcal nasopharyngeal colonisation occurs frequently on tertiary campuses

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Linkage to care for rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis cases in Gauteng, South Africa (2022–2023)

How effectively are rifampicin-resistant TB patients in Gauteng linked to care and initiated on treatment? Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs but can spread to other parts of the body. Common symptoms include a persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Without timely diagnosis

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An outbreak of Alkalihalobacillus clausii bacteraemia linked to probiotic use in South African hospitals (2024)

How did probiotic use contribute to the A. clausii outbreak in South African hospitals? Alkalihalobacillus clausii (A. clausii), formerly known as Bacillus clausii, is a spore-forming gram-positive bacillus widely used in probiotic formulations. It has demonstrated therapeutic potential in managing antibiotic-associated diarrhoea by reducing inflammation, protecting intestinal integrity, and restoring gut microbiota balance. Although generally

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