Category: Frequently Asked Questions
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Mpox FAQ
Communicated by: National Department of Health, Republic of South Africa
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Yellow Fever FAQ
Yellow fever is a vector-borne acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by an infection with the Yellow Fever virus (YFV) 1. What is yellow fever? Yellow fever is a vector-borne acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by an infection with the Yellow Fever virus (YFV). The YFV is a single-stranded RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family. The…
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Hepatitis E Factsheet
Hepatitis E is a virus spread by contaminated food and water. It is one of several viruses, such as hepatitis A and B, which can cause liver damage. Hepatitis E virus (HEV) can be more dangerous for pregnant women and anyone with liver problems. Every year there are 20 million hepatitis E infections, over three…
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Schistosomiasis FAQ
Schistosomiasis (bilharzia): Frequently Asked Questions FAQs compiled by John Frean, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg, South Africa. Updated 06 July 2016 1. What is schistosomiasis and how do you get it? Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms (called flukes) that live in the blood vessels of the bladder and reproductive organs, and…
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Schistosomiasis Factsheet
Schistosomiasis, or bilharzia, is a parasitic disease caused by trematode flatworms of the genus Schistosoma. Larval forms of the parasites, which are released by freshwater snails, penetrate the skin of people in the water. Key facts Schistosomiasis is a chronic, parasitic disease caused by blood flukes (trematode worms) of the genus Schistosoma. At least 243…
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Listeriosis FAQ
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 with symptoms ranging from…
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Avian Influenza FAQ
Avian influenza, also known as ‘avian flu’ or ‘bird flu’ is an infection- usually of wild birds- but sometimes also of commercial or domestic poultry. 1. What is avian influenza? Avian influenza, also known as ‘avian flu’ or ‘bird flu’ is an infection- usually of wild birds- but sometimes also of commercial or domestic poultry. Water birds…
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Dengue FAQ
Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes, which normally bites during the day time. Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes, which normally bites during the day time. 1. What is dengue fever? Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes, which normally bites during the day time. In Africa, dengue fever outbreaks in 2013 have…
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Diptheria FAQ
Diphtheria is a contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. 1. What is diphtheria? Diphtheria is a contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection. It is caused by infection with a toxin-producing strain of Corynebacterium diphtheriae or more rarely Corynebacterium ulcerans or Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. It occurs in two forms- respiratory diphtheria and cutaneous diphtheria. 2. Who can…
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Ebola Virus Disease FAQ
Ebola virus disease (EVD) (previously known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever), is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and non-human primates. 1. What is Ebola virus disease? Ebola virus disease (EVD) (previously known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever), is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and non-human primates. The disease is caused by infection with…