What is The Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)? The Middle East Respiratory Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus which causes acute respiratory illness in infected patients. It is a contagious, sometimes fatal respiratory illness. It’s often spread through close contact with an infected person. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Other symptoms may […]
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What are Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are S. aureus strains that have become resistant to the antibiotics, methicillin/ cloxacillin which are from penicillin class of antibiotics. MRSA strains are resistant to all β-lactam antibiotics. In addition to cloxacillin, these pathogens are resistant to most other antibiotics and are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”. Most MRSA
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What is Meningococcal disease? Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus [muh-ning-goh-KOK-us]. These illnesses are often severe and can be deadly. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia). These bacteria spread
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What is Meningitis? Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. A bacterial or viral infection of the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord usually causes the swelling. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections also can cause meningitis. It is important to know the
What is Marburg? Marburg is a haemorrhagic fever (MHF) caused by a filovirus. Though caused by different viruses, Ebola virus disease (EVD) and MHF are clinically similar. Transmission of MHF is via direct contact with blood and body fluids from infected persons, contact with Rousettus bat colonies, or via infected semen from recovered persons up
What is Malaria? Malaria is a potentially life-threatening disease caused by blood parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which are transmitted via the bites of infected mosquitoes. In the human body, the parasites first multiply in the liver, and then infect the red blood cells. Malaria is preventable and curable. Increased malaria prevention and control measures are
What is Listeriosis? Listeriosis is a serious bacterial disease caused by the Gram-positive, rod shaped bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes. The bacterium is widely distributed in nature and can be found in soil, water and contaminated food. Animals and food products such as vegetables can become contaminated from these sources. Infection with Listeria usually results in gastroenteritis
What is Lice? Lice is an infection of the hair and skin of humans with arthropods (insects) called Pediculus capitis (head lice), Pediculus humanus (body), and Phthiris pubis (pubic lice). Head and body lice have slightly different appearances when viewed under a microscope, and display different behaviour patterns, but are genetically identical. Head lice lay nits on the shaft of hair
What is Leptospirosis? Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease caused by pathogenic Leptospira species. Leptospira are spirochetes (helically-wound bacteria) that cause infection in animals, and are carried asymptomatically by rodents, especially rats. When humans are infected, clinical presentation ranges from asymptomatic or mildly febrile illness (90% of cases) to severe leptospirosis or life-threatening (10% of cases). Complicated leptospirosis is also
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