SA’s Ebola preparedness has intensified as health authorities monitor the rapidly expanding Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said authorities designated 36 hospitals to receive and manage patients if an imported Ebola case occurs. The facilities include 24 public hospitals and 12 private hospitals. Three specialist committees are also coordinating readiness…
Tag: NICD
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Surge in Malaria as Climate Change Fuels Regional Outbreaks
Malaria cases in Mpumalanga increased fourfold in January compared with the same period a year earlier, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). This intensifies concern over South Africa’s goal of eliminating the disease by 2029. This dramatic malaria cases surge highlights the urgency for effective intervention. The sharp rise comes as several southern African countries report major…
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Measles Cases Rise in SA as NICD Flags Adult Immunity Gap
South Africa is seeing a sharp rise in measles infections, even as rubella cases fall. New surveillance data from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) show measles cases are increasing across provinces, with signs of ongoing community transmission and a potential immunity gap among older age groups. The NICD said data from 29 December 2025 to 12 April 2026…
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Hospital-Acquired Infections Lack National Tracking
South Africa lacks a national database to track hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), leaving a critical gap in patient safety and infection control. Health experts warn that the absence of systematic surveillance allows preventable infections and deaths to go unnoticed, particularly among vulnerable groups such as newborns and mothers. A 2024 study, The Burden of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAI) in Sub-Saharan Africa, revealed…
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Vaccine Misinformation: Combating False Narratives
The Gauteng Department of Health has launched a massive vaccination campaign to curb the spread of measles and rubella. Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko issued a stern warning to parents against dangerous vaccine misinformation circulating on social media. Addressing vaccine misinformation is crucial to ensure the success of the campaign. Speaking at the campaign launch, Nkomo-Ralehoko appealed directly to parents and…