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What is Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) ? Viral haemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) refer to a number of different diseases characterised by the presence of fever, rash and bleeding. VHFs are caused by viruses belonging to four families of RNA viruses: the Arenaviridae, Filoviridae, Bunyaviridae, and Flaviviridae. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is endemic to South Africa. Ebola […]

What is Varicella-Zoster Virus? Chickenpox is an infectious disease characterized by fever and a blister-like rash caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV). A first infection with VZV causes chickenpox. After recovery from chickenpox, the virus can be dormant (inactive or latent) in a nerve root (specifically the dorsal root ganglion of a sensory nerve). Reactivation of

What is vaccination?  Vaccination is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases, before they come into contact with them. It uses your body’s natural defenses to build resistance to specific infections and makes your immune system stronger. Vaccines train your immune system to create antibodies, just as it does when