Publications

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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Antenatal HIV and syphilis testing in South Africa: Comparing medical records and laboratory results among pregnant women

How consistent are antenatal HIV and syphilis results across data sources? Syphilis is a curable sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum (TP). Globally, about 7.1 million people were newly infected with TP and an estimated 200 000 deaths were due to syphilis in 2020. Syphilis can be transmitted from mother to

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Malaria vector surveillance in South Africa: 2023 update

How do mosquito species and resistance trends impact malaria transmission? Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites transmitted to humans through the bites of infected Anopheles mosquitoes. In South Africa, malaria transmission is seasonal and occurs mainly in the Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces.  Symptoms can range from fever, chills, and headaches to severe

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Investigation of a measles outbreak in Mpumalanga, South Africa (Nov 2022–Dec 2023)

What contributed to the measles outbreak in Mpumalanga? Measles is a highly infectious and potentially fatal acute viral disease that predominantly affects young children. It is characterised by fever and a maculopapular rash that typically appears 3–5 days after the onset of respiratory-like symptoms. Complications include diarrhoea, pneumonia, encephalitis, and death. Measles is vaccine-preventable. Despite

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Investigation of foodborne disease outbreak linked to restaurant in Cape Town, South Africa (February, 2024)

How did a Cape Town restaurant become the source of a foodborne disease outbreak in February 2024? Foodborne diseases (FBD) are illnesses caused by eating contaminated food. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally, one in ten people, about 600 million individuals, fall ill from FBD every year, with 420,000 deaths. Low and middle-income

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Tracking STI pathogens in South Africa: sentinel surveillance report 2021–2024

What do the latest findings tell us about STIs and treatment in South Africa? Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a group of infections passed from one person to another through sexual contact. Caused by more than 30 bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens, STIs can range from curable infections like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, to lifelong

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Animal Bites and Human Rabies in Limpopo, South Africa (2011–2023): Epidemiological Trends and Insights

What Do 12 Years of Data Reveal About Rabies and Animal Bite Trends in Limpopo? Rabies is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the rabies virus and is primarily transmitted to humans through the saliva of infected animals. Transmission occurs via bites, scratches, or contact with mucous membranes and open wounds. The disease presents with

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Tracking the Silent Spread: Enteric Pathogens in South Africa (2018–2023)

How Have Diarrhoeal Pathogens Affected South Africans Over 5 Years of Age in the Last 5 Years? Enteric pathogens are a common cause of diarrhoeal diseases and affect the stomach and intestines. These pathogens spread mainly through contact with contaminated food, water, or surfaces. Diarrhoeal disease has long been a significant global public health concern,

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