Influenza A and B detection rates remained below 2% during August, with the influenza season officially having ended in July (NICD Weekly Respiratory Pathogens Surveillance Report, week 34 of 2023). Surveillance is ongoing to determine whether a second influenza peak...
Two SARS-COV-2 variants are currently getting coverage in the press, namely BA.2.86 and EG.5. Both are subvariants or lineages of Omicron, however, renewed interest has stemmed from the large number of mutations detected in these viruses. For example, BA.2.86 has more...
Anaemia is defined as a reduced haemoglobin level in the peripheral blood. When blood does not contain enough haemoglobin, cells do not receive enough oxygen and symptoms may arise. A diagnostic approach to anaemia is often based on the initial MCV findings. The MCV...
Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2 - Influenza A detection rates continued to decline during July, dropping below 2% in week 30 (week ending 30 July). - Influenza B percentage positivity has remained below 1% throughout 2023 thus far. - RSV...
Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) is an intravascular parasitic infection caused by flukes (trematodes) of the genus Schistosoma. Both S. haematobium and S. mansoni are endemic in South Africa in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, northern and eastern parts of Gauteng provinces and the...
Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2 Influenza A detection rates peaked in week 21 (week ending 28 May) and then decreased each week throughout June, with the percentage positivity dropping to 12% in the last week of June. Influenza A/H3 continued to...
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, characterised by enlarged ovaries with cyst formation, ovulatory dysfunction, and/or elevated androgens. Although it is known that PCOS is an insulin resistant metabolic...
Seasonal influenza is caused by influenza viruses which circulate worldwide, resulting in acute respiratory disease, predominantly during the winter months. Influenza virus is an enveloped virus with a segmented RNA genome. Laboratory and surveillance reports state...
While uncommon and NOT endemic to South Africa, the world is currently (and since 1961) experiencing the 7th global cholera outbreak according to historic record with more than 50 countries having endemic cholera. The current cholera outbreak in South Africa was...
Influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2 Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detection rates peaked in March and declined steadily during April across all age groups, with the exception of the 0-12 month olds where detection rates remained above 35%...