What is Legionella? Legionella bacteria can cause a serious type of pneumonia (lung infection) called Legionnaires’ disease. The bacteria can also cause a less serious illness called Pontiac fever. Legionnaires’ disease is recognised worldwide as an important cause of both community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Legionella bacteria are common and can be found naturally in environmental water sources, […]
What is Lassa Fever? Lassa fever is a viral haemorrhagic illness that was first discovered in 1969 when two missionary nurses died from the illness in the Nigerian town of Lassa. The Lassa virus is a zoonotic or animal-borne virus and the animal vector is the “multimammate rat” (Mastomys natalensis). The virus is a single-stranded
What is Klebsiella pneumoniae? Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacteria that is commonly found in the gut of humans and can cause a variety of infections such as skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infections (UTIs), meningitis, pneumonia and bloodstream infections in both community and hospital settings (refer to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)). This bacterium can
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What is Rift Valley Fever? Rift Valley fever is a disease which is spread to sheep, cattle and goats by mosquitoes, and it causes abortion and death of the animals. Humans become infected from handling sick animals, carcasses or meat, or less often from mosquito bites. The disease does not spread from one person to
What are hospital infection outbreaks? The definition of a healthcare-acquired-infection (HAI) is clinically-evident infection 48 hours after the admission to the healthcare facility. HAIs are the leading causes of illness and death amongst hospitalised patients. A growing number of patients admitted to acute care hospitals acquire one of more HAIs during their stay. Outbreaks of
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What is HIV? HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus spread through certain body fluids that attacks the body’s immune system, specifically the CD4 cells, often called T cells. Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body can’t fight off infections and disease. These special cells help the immune system
What is Histoplasmosis? Histoplasmosis is a disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma. Histoplasma is a thermally-dimorphic fungus meaning it grows as a thread-like mould in the environment and as a yeast (a single-celled fungus) when it causes human infections. The fungus is commonly found in the environment particularly in soil that contains bird or bat droppings. People can
What is Hepatitis of Unknown Aetiology? Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis infection is most often caused by the hepatitis virus, which has five main strains referred to as types A, B, C, D and E. These strains spread in different ways and cause different types of illness. How Hepatitis spreads depends on
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What is Hepatitis E? Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the Hepatitis E virus (HEV). HEV infection usually results in a self-limited, acute illness. It is widespread in the developing world. Although rare in developed countries, locally acquired HEV infection can result in acute hepatitis with a tendency to progress to chronic hepatitis
What is Hepatitis D? Hepatitis D, also known as “delta hepatitis,” is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis D virus (HDV). Hepatitis D is uncommon in the United States. Hepatitis D only occurs in people who are infected with the hepatitis B virus because HDV is an incomplete virus that requires the helper function
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