Infectious diseases South Africa

Preventing sexually transmitted infections: why South Africa isn't winning

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a serious public health issue. It's estimated that globally, more than a million people are diagnosed with one or more sexually transmitted infections every day...

By Tendesayi Kufa-Chakezha 15 Feb 2019

Why anti-vaccine beliefs and ideas spread so fast on the internet

There's been a recent increase globally in outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases....

By Marina Joubert & Francois van Schalkwyk 14 Feb 2019

What goes into some of the world's innovative, life-changing cancer medications

Next time you or a loved-one take medication, whether an over-the-counter pain-killer, chronic medication, or a breakthrough treatment, take a moment to think about its origins...

Issued by G&G Digital 13 Feb 2019

Why Ebola vaccine on trial in the DRC is raising hopes

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has emphasised that an experimental vaccine is playing a major role in controlling the spread of Ebola...

By Shirin Ashraf & Arthur Wickenhagen 11 Feb 2019

What is medicine? Why it's so important to answer this question

What is medicine? We recognise it in all societies past and present. But the nature of medicine differs so greatly from place to place and time to time that it's difficult to offer a single answer...

1 Feb 2019

Why African countries need to give genomic research a major boost

All organisms are unique. Each having a set of genetic instructions for their build-up and maintenance. This set of genetic instructions is contained in genes that makeup a genome...

By Lamech Mwapagha 30 Jan 2019

Healthworkers vaccinated against Ebola in South Sudan

Health workers and other frontline responders in South Sudan are being vaccinated against Ebola as part of preparedness measures to fight the spread of the disease...

29 Jan 2019

Immunisation coverage stagnating in Africa

Over the past five years, immunisation coverage in sub-Saharan Africa has stagnated at 72%, exposing populations to vaccine-preventable diseases and outbreaks...

25 Jan 2019

10 biggest threats to global health

The World Health Organisation's new five-year strategic plan - the 13th General Programme of Work tackles multiple global health challenges...

15 Jan 2019

Vaccines have health effects beyond protecting against target diseases

A measles vaccine protects against measles infection. By introducing a bit of weakened virus, the immune system learns how to deal with it, so when a real measles virus comes along, it can eliminate it...

By Christine Stabell Benn 15 Jan 2019

DNA sequencing can help fight epidemics - but there are privacy risks

As is the case with any disease caused by pathogenic viruses - like Zika or influenza - Ebola spreads dangerously and unpredictably. This makes tracking the movement of viruses around the world a major challenge...

By Liam Shaw & Nicola C Sugden 14 Jan 2019

Measles cases spike globally due to gaps in vaccination coverage

Reported measles cases spiked in 2017, as multiple countries experienced severe and protracted outbreaks of the disease. This is according to a new report published today by leading health organisations...

24 Dec 2018