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Frequently Asked Questions

Information found in this section is supplied by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases', Outbreak Response Unit, Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response.

For more information on these or other diseases not listed here, please visit http://www.nicd.ac.za/index.php/diseases-a-z/#char_42.

For Medical/clinical related queries: Contact the NICD Hotline +27 82 883 9920 (for use by healthcare professionals only).

Guidelines and other useful resources are available on the NICD website: www.nicd.ac.za

Avian Influenza FAQ

Avian influenza, also known as ‘avian flu’ or ‘bird flu’ is an infection- usually of…
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Chicken Pox FAQ

Chickenpox is an infectious disease characterized by fever and a blister-like rash caused by varicella-zoster…
Read 925 times

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) FAQ

CCHF is a zoonotic disease caused by the CCHF virus, a Nairovirus which is member of the…
Read 611 times

Dengue Fever FAQ

    Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral infection transmitted by the Aedes mosquitoes, which…
Read 1500 times

Diptheria FAQ

Diphtheria is a contagious and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection.
Read 554 times

Ebola Virus Disease FAQ

Ebola virus disease (EVD) (previously known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever), is a severe, often fatal…
Read 549 times

Hepatitis A FAQ

Hepatitis A, also known as infectious hepatitis, is a viral disease of the liver. 
Read 735 times

Hepatitis B FAQ

HBV is a contagious viral disease that affects the liver. 
Read 520 times

Influenza FAQ

Influenza also called flu is an acute viral respiratory infection, transmitted by the influenza virus.…
Read 618 times

Lassa Fever FAQ

Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic illness that was first discovered in 1969 when two…
Read 526 times

Legionnaires’ disease FAQ

Legionnaires’ disease is recognised worldwide as an important cause of both community- and hospital- acquired pneumonia. 
Read 966 times

Malaria FAQ

Malaria is a disease presenting with fever caused by blood parasites of the genus Plasmodium,…
Read 621 times

Measles FAQ

Measles is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. Patients with measles present with…
Read 1395 times

Pertussis FAQ

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly infectious disease that affects the respiratory tract
Read 559 times

Rabies FAQ

Rabies is a contagious viral disease causing damage to the brain and the spinal cord…
Read 806 times

Salmonella FAQ

Salmonella are Gram-negative bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Salmonella are divided into two main groups on the basis of…
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Tetanus FAQ

Tetanus, commonly known as “lockjaw”, is a potentially fatal infection caused by the toxin produced…
Read 870 times

Tick Bite Fever FAQ

Tick bite fever is caused by tiny bacterial organisms called rickettsias. 
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Typhoid FAQ

Typhoid fever, also called enteric fever, or simply ‘typhoid’, is a systemic illness caused by…
Read 1067 times

Yellow Fever FAQ

Yellow fever is a vector-borne acute viral haemorrhagic disease caused by an infection with the…
Read 913 times

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Important Notice

You are advised to visit your general practice surgery or a travel medicine clinic at least 6 weeks before you travel. However, it is never too late to seek advice.

If you have a medical condition, you are advised to discuss the suitability of the trip before you book.