Rabbit myxoma virus, a member of the genus Leporipoxvirus, has been widely used in Australia to control populations of the European rabbit, which was introduced with disastrous results into Australia by European settlers. The history of the virus in Australia represents a fascinating story of viral evolution in the fieldContinue Reading
The bacterium Vibrio cholerae is the source of the acute secretory diarrheal disease known as cholera. The facultative, gram-negative, comma-shaped, oxidase-positive rod Vibrio cholerae is common in underdeveloped nations. Two serotypes have been found to be the cause of epidemics: O139, which mostly causes intermittent outbreaks in Asia, and O1,Continue Reading
The best practice for expanding laboratory capacity in environments with limited resources is to choose methods that are feasible and long-lasting. For many years, molecular diagnostics were seen as “inappropriate” despite their usefulness and accuracy. This was because they were thought to be too precise, costly, prone to contamination, andContinue Reading
An important aspect of infection prevention and control (IPC) is the identifying and breaking the chain of transmission. To do this, we need a good understanding of the interaction of agent, host, and environment in aiding transmission of diseases, and also acting as reservoirs. Continue Reading
Risk communication is the real-time exchange of information, advice and opinions between experts or officials and people who face a hazard or threat to their survival, health, or economic or social wellbeing. The purpose is to enable people at risk to make informed decisions to mitigate the effects of aContinue Reading
Event-based surveillance (EBS) is the organized and rapid capture of information about events that are a potential risk to public health. This information can be rumours and other ad-hoc reports transmitted through formal channels (i.e. established routine reporting systems) and informal channels (i.e. media, health workers and nongovernmental organizations reports).Continue Reading
A PHEOC is a physical location for the coordination of information and resources to support incident management activities. PHEOCs are also referred to as “EOC”, “operations centres”, “situation rooms” and “command centres”. They play a vital role in the management and coordination of public health emergencies, and they are hubsContinue Reading
West Africa has experienced several epidemic outbreaks over the years. The Ebola virus outbreak was one of the most devastating outbreaks between 2014-2016, which primarily affected Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Thousands of people died as a result of this epidemic. Other outbreaks experienced and still ongoing public health concernsContinue Reading
Epidemic preparedness in West Africa is an urgent and critical concern that demands the attention of both regional and global health stakeholders. This focus stems from the region’s historical vulnerability to infectious disease outbreaks and its exposure to emerging health threats. The West African landscape is marked by diversity, encompassingContinue Reading