1. What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is caused by infection with monkeypox virus, a member of the genus Orthopoxvirus in the family Poxviridae. There are currently more than 80 poxviruses known to science and these poxviruses have been isolated from different species of birds, insects, reptiles, marsupials and mammals. Poxviruses that may cause human disease include […]
Monkeypox Frequently Asked Questions Read More »
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, confirms that there are currently no monkeypox cases in South Africa. On 13th May 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of two laboratory-confirmed cases and one probable case of monkeypox, from the same household, in the United Kingdom.
Situation Update: Monkeypox Read More »
Since the report of an imported case of Lassa fever in South Africa on 12 May 2022 (https://www.nicd.ac.za/imported-case-of-lassa-fever-identified/), further investigations and response activities have been conducted. The investigations revealed that the imported case had been ill while in Nigeria about 10 days prior to entering South Africa. The case-patient sought medical attention in Nigeria but
Situation update on an imported case of Lassa fever from Nigeria to South Africa Read More »
Michelle J. Groome, National Institute for Communicable Diseases; Juliet Pulliam, South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling & Analysis (SACEMA) , and Sheetal Silal, University of Cape Town Confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 have been increasing in South Africa in recent weeks. This has been largely driven by two offspring – known as the BA.4 and BA.5
South Africa has entered a new phase of the COVID pandemic: what that means Read More »
A case of Lassa fever was diagnosed in a man from KwaZulu-Natal on 12 May 2022. The man had extensive travel history in Nigeria before returning to South Africa. He fell ill after entering South Africa and was hospitalized in a Pietermaritzburg hospital. The diagnosis of Lassa fever was confirmed through laboratory testing conducted at
Imported case of lassa fever identified Read More »
1. What are BA.4 and BA.5? BA.4 and BA.5 are two newly-designated Omicron lineages. They are currently still classified as the Omicron variant, meaning that they are not a new Variant of Concern (VOC); rather, they are Omicron viruses with a new combination of mutations. In terms of their mutations, BA.4 and BA.5 share mutations
Omicron lineages BA.4 and BA.5 FAQ Read More »
Shüné Oliver, National Institute for Communicable Diseases; Basil Brooke, University of the Witwatersrand, and Givemore Munhenga, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Most South Africans aren’t worried about malaria even though the disease is endemic in the country. Four of the country’s nine provinces carry malaria risk while 10% of the population is at risk of
Fresh signs of mosquito insecticide resistance in South Africa Read More »
Jaishree Raman, National Institute for Communicable Diseases In recent years South Africa has made significant progress in its effort to eliminate malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) lists it as one of the countries that has the potential to eliminate the disease in the near future. In 2021, the WHO also hailed South Africa for
Malaria elimination: South Africa needs to regroup and refocus to get there Read More »
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of bronchiolitis and lower respiratory tract illness (LRTI) among young children. It is highly contagious and infection with RSV does not result in permanent or long-term immunity and re-infections can occur. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the RSV season in South Africa usually preceded the influenza season with
On 11 March 2020, just months after the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was first identified in China, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a public health emergency of international concern. Over the next two years COVID-19 would go on to infect nearly half a billion people, killing over 6 million around the world. Governments introduced
Wins, missteps and lessons: African experts reflect on two years of COVID response Read More »
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