Bacterial & Viral infections News

Water on the brain is seasonal

Hydrocephalus in Ugandan children and other developing countries is seasonal, linked to farm animals and in part, caused by previous bacterial infection.

E.coli linked to long-term problems

People who contract gastroenteritis from drinking water contaminated with E.coli are at an increased risk of developing diseases in later life.

Drug-resistant bacteria kill 18

A drug-resistant bacteria has claimed 18 lives in Brazil's capital region this year, local media reported.

Olivedale mystery deaths diagnosed

The illness that took the lives of two men who were hospitalised and later died at Netcare Olivedale Hospital a number of days ago has been positively diagnosed.

Faster test for detecting E.coli

A food scientist using infrared spectroscopy took only an hour to find harmful E. coli bacteria in ground beef, a discovery that could cut days off outbreak investigations.

Disinfectants reduce absenteeism

The placement of alcohol-based hand disinfectants in businesses can reduce illness and absenteeism amongst the work force.

85 mil children to be immunised

A campaign to immunize over 85 million children under five against polio will kick off Saturday in west and central Africa in a bid to halt a year-long epidemic.

Deadly tropical disease hits Sudan

Southern Sudan is facing a "serious outbreak" of the deadly kala azar tropical disease, the aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) warned.

Storm-hit Philippines seek help

The Philippines is seeking international help to fight a deadly outbreak of an infectious disease following two devastating tropical storms, the WHO announced.

Deadly bugs on kids' toys

A deadly drug-resistant bacteria can survive for months on children’s toys, research shows.