Podcasts about communicable diseases nicd

Professor Nazir Ismail, Clinical Microbiology And Infectious Diseases at Wits on what to make of their latest study in to the behaviour of tuberculosis patients in completion of treatment, which found that cash-incentivised and counselled have a 52% lower relative risk of having an unsuccessful treatment outcome. Professor Nazir Ismail from Wits University worked with Dr Harry Moultrie from SA’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) led the study, which was published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal on 6 February 2025.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rising anti-vaccine sentiment and dissemination of misinformation are threats to public health. In the US, calls to revoke certain public health mandates have been proposed by likely members of the incoming administration, among them vaccination against polio. The fourth instalment of the Nightmare Series is both a cautionary tale and an effort to preserve and share clinical expertise on how to diagnose and manage polio and rubella in a world where, until now, few doctors have had to face these illnesses in the clinical setting. Host Angela Huttner welcomes Professor Emeritus of Infectious Diseases Bernard Hirschel at the University of Geneva and Dr. Kerrigan McCarthy of the Centre for Vaccines and Immunology at South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) for that discussion. This episode was edited by Kathryn Hostettler and peer-reviewed by Dr. Barbora Píšová in Antwerp, Belgium. Literature Link-Gelles R et al (2022) MMWR https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7133e2.htm  Ryerson AB et al (2022) MMWR https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7144e2.htm  Kasstan B et al (2023) Epidemiol Infect doi: 10.1017/S0950268823001127 NICD (2024) Report: Rubella in South Africa, 2024.https://www.nicd.ac.za/surge-in-rubella-cases-in-south-africa-november-2024/

Parents are urged to ensure their children are up to date with their vaccination schedules amid increasing cases of rubella or German measles in some provinces. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has alerted the health department of a notable rise in rubella cases in various parts of Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Manager for Expanded Program of Immunization at the National Health Department, Elizabeth Maseti...

The National Department of Health has urged the public to take extra precautionary measures to protect themselves and their loved ones against respiratory infections, which are expected to increase over the winter season. According to the department, the respiratory syncytial virus is currently at peak circulation in the country, while influenza also known as flu is starting to surge.  Meanwhile, COVID-19 continues to circulate at low levels. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), which monitors the circulation of respiratory viruses throughout the country, has notified the department that it is currently the peak season of RSV, which some can confuse for COVID-19 due to common symptoms. SABC TV News Ancho Ayanda Nyathi spoke to Mvuyo Makhasi, data manager for respiratory diseases and meningitis at the National Institute for 

The National Department of Health is concerned about the rise of flu cases across the country since the beginning of May. The department was notified by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of the increasing circulation of influenza around the country.Provinces such as Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and North West have seen an increase in case. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to spokesperson for the National department of health, Foster Mohale.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla says laboratory-confirmed cholera cases are spread over three provinces, Limpopo, the Free State and Gauteng, with Gauteng being the epicentre of the outbreak. Phaahla together with officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) provided an update on the country's outbreak, which started in February. Phaahla says there's been no new cases in the past seven days...

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says the number of measles cases in the country continues to rise. This as the outbreak has now been declared in five provinces namely, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the Free State, and the North West. The NICD has advised caregivers and parents to review their children's vaccination records to confirm their measles vaccination status. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Child Health Specialist at the National Health Department, Dr. Lesley Bamford

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the national health department are anticipating a nationwide outbreak of measles when schools reopen for the 2023 academic year. This as the number of measles cases being detected across South Africa is rising daily, with more than 300 lab confirmed cases to date. Principal pathologist at the NICD's centre for vaccine and immunology Dr Kerrigan McCarthy says prevention and control of a measles outbreak can  be achieved only through vaccination. Child health specialist at the national health department Dr Lesley Bramford says the department has launched outbreak responses on both a local and broader level, with vaccination campaigns under way in affected provinces.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the national health department are anticipating a nationwide outbreak of measles when schools reopen for the 2023 academic year. This as the number of measles cases being detected across South Africa is rising daily, with more than 300 lab confirmed cases to date. Principal pathologist at the NICD's centre for vaccine and immunology Dr Kerrigan McCarthy says prevention and control of a measles outbreak can  be achieved only through vaccination. Child health specialist at the national health department Dr Lesley Bramford says the department has launched outbreak responses on both a local and broader level, with vaccination campaigns under way in affected provinces.

Africa is joined by Dr Sibongile Walaza, Senior Epidemiologist at National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) to talk about the increase in 'whooping cough' cases in the country and why parents should be concerned. The NICD have confirmed the increase in pertussis cases has been reported in South Africa among children younger than five years of age, particularly among infants younger than three months of age. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) is reviewing a monthly HIV-prevention injection. Prof Adrian Puren, executive director at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and head of the Centre for HIV and STIs at the institute, chats about how HIV medication has improved and provides details about the injection.

A 30-year-old man from Gauteng has been identified with the first confirmed case of monkeypox in SA. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) on Thursday confirmed the case of monkeypox was identified through laboratory testing on Wednesday.

The influenza (flu) season is upon us in the Southern Hemisphere. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), in South Africa (SA) the 2022 flu season started in the week commencing 25 April – and numbers appear to have been increasing over the past few weeks. On Medical Matters, we talk to Dr Lourens Terblanche, Medical Head at Sanofi South Africa, about influenza increases in South Africa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people have been complaining about flu symptoms. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) explains the surge in infections and the effectiveness of flu vaccines.

Guest: Anne von Gottberg Ann von Gottberg  Clinical Microbiologist Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis (CRDM) at The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), Johannesburg.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Free State Department of Health "is alarmed by the rapid rise" of Covid-19 cases in the province. It says cases have increased in the Mangaung, Lejweleputswa, Fezile Dabi, Thabo Mofutsanyana and Xhariep municipalities. "The rapid rise in numbers precedes the projected fourth wave of infections, with Omicron emerging as a new variant of concern that is understood to be spreading faster than the previous variants," department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said. The province has recorded 173 348 cases, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). On Monday, the province recorded 647 new cases - 5% of all the cases in the country. The provincial health department previously raised its concern about travellers transmitting the new variant in the province. The Free State is connected to five national key roads and borders six other provinces. "All users of these roads pass through the Free State and may bring infections to the Free State or acquire infections from the Free State to their provinces," Mondli Mvambi previously told News24. To date, 1 564 126 vaccines have been administered in the Free State, with 993 025 people having received at least one dose of the vaccine. "Healthcare workers, the working population, professionals and every member of the community have been warned by provincial health authorities to take all the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 through adherence to established non-pharmaceutical interventions and taking the vaccine," Mvambi said.

Researchers at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) briefed the media on Friday on some of the organisation's research, development and innovation (RDI) efforts aimed at addressing the HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) epidemics in South Africa. CSIR researcher Dr Advaita Singh shed light on an innovative plant-based, highly potent anti-HIV antibodies research initiative. “The CSIR's plant-based anti-HIV antibodies research is aimed at developing a cost-effective pre prophylaxis vaccine which will passively immunise against HIV/AIDS, pre and post exposure. This initiative was inspired by the desire to empower young girls and women to protect themselves against the virus as studies have indicated that women are theoretically, at higher risk of HIV acquisition,” said Singh. Working with the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), the CSIR is developing broadly neutralising antibodies against HIV-1, the most widespread human immunodeficiency virus, for the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. CSIR scientists and their research partners were able to demonstrate the ability to engineer tobacco plants to produce unique glycosylation and rare sulfation post-translational modifications, a result that is not usually seen in plants. Glycosylation is a biochemical process during which a glycan – a large carbohydrate molecule – attaches to a protein, a lipid, or another organic molecule. The glycoengineered Nicotiana benthamiana (a relative of the tobacco plant) expressed two broadly neutralising antibodies named CAP256-VRC26 08 and CAP256-VRC26 09. These two antibodies were originally isolated by collaboration Aids research centre CAPRISA and the NICD from a South African HIV positive patient during a trial conducted by CAPRISA. The outcome showed that the antibodies from the CAP256 lineage were the most active, with high potency and broad specificity. “We still have a number of steps to get through, as the research process commonly requires, before this technology is available in the market, however, the CSIR and its partners intends on making it accessible to patients through an industry partner once it is ready,” added Singh. Another technology presented by the CSIR at the media briefing aims to provide rural areas with a diagnostic assay that will test for HIV and TB simultaneously using one device in the comfort of the patient's home. CSIR lab technician Kanyane Malatji provided insight into a multiplex HIV and TB point-of-care diagnostic test being developed for use in remote and rural areas. “The effective management of patients infected with HIV and TB is restricted by separate diagnoses. The situation is exacerbated in remote areas where patients must either travel long distances to reach a healthcare facility or wait a long time before obtaining their TB diagnostic results. Therefore, through our multiplex HIV and TB point-of-care diagnostic assay, we hope to mitigate these challenges with the objective of improving treatment outcomes for patients in rural areas,” said Malatji. The locally developed diagnostic test uses a solid surface that couples the HIV and TB antigens and makes use of a locally produced fluorescence detector. “The benefits of this technology are that it offers a cost-effective solution with a low turnaround time of approximately 2 hours. Additionally, no laboratory infrastructure is required, the device is easy to use and can be performed at point-of-care without highly trained personnel,” added Malatji. The CSIR's multiplex HIV and TB point-of-care diagnostic assay is funded by government and the plant-based anti-HIV antibodies research work is funded by the Department of Science and Innovation and the South African Medical Research Council.

On Medical Matters tonight we talk to Dr Waasila Jassat, Public Health Specialist at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) about Covid & the rising numbers with children, as well as the ongoing developments around omicron. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just when we were beginning to relax, planning end of year celebrations and long-awaited holidays, SARS-COV-2 has mutated into a new variant that has shattered the complacency of the last few months. While there has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth South African scientists did the right thing in announcing to the world they had identified a new variant of concern on Thursday afternoon and classified by the World Health Organization on Friday as “Omicron” a variant of concern. There is a lot we don't know about Omicron, but markets have been forced to reassess the global growth outlook. Pfizer expects to know within two weeks if Omicron is resistant to its current vaccine, others suggest it may take several weeks. Until then markets are likely to remain jittery. Is the hype justified and what does it mean for business into December? To find out Michael Avery is joined by Professor Adrian Puren, Head of the Centre for HIV and STIs and currently Acting Director at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD); Dr Stavros Nicolaou, head of the health working group for B4SA & Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa - Chief Executive Officer – TBCSA & Dr Angelique Coetzee, the head of the SA Medical Association

South Africa said on Friday a British ban on flights from six southern African countries over a new Covid-19 variant seemed rushed, as EU authorities prepared similar moves and the World Health Organization (WHO) convened an emergency meeting. Scientists have so far only detected the B.1.1.529 variant in relatively small numbers, mainly in South Africa but also in Botswana and Hong Kong, but say they are concerned by its high number of mutations which could possibly make it vaccine-resistant and more transmissible. Britain said the variant was the most significant one found yet after banning flights from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and Namibia from midday on Friday. European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said the EU also aimed to halt air travel from the region, describing the variant in a tweet as "of concern". A WHO working group on virus evolution is due to meet on Friday to discuss whether to officially give it that label, a designation only given to four variants so far. WHO epidemiologist Maria Van Kerkhove said in a video posted on Twitter that it could take a few weeks to understand the impact of the variant's mutations. The rand slumped over 2% against the dollar early on Friday, as the variant unnerved investors. South African hospitality stocks also plummeted. South Africa will speak to British authorities to try to get them to reconsider their ban, the foreign ministry in Pretoria said. "Our immediate concern is the damage that this decision will cause to both the tourism industries and businesses of both countries," Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor said in a statement. As Asian countries also moved to tighten curbs, two Welsh rugby clubs in South Africa for a tournament scrambled to leave as soon as possible, and British and Irish golfers withdrew from the Johannesburg Open. South Africa - the worst affected in Africa in terms of total reported Covid cases and deaths - had been experiencing a lull after a severe third wave of infections, until last week when new infections started to pick up. On Thursday, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) reported 2 465 new cases, almost double the previous day's number. Although the NICD did not link the resurgence to the B.1.1.529 variant, leading local scientists suspect it is the cause. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention strongly discouraged travel bans on countries that had reported the variant. "Imposing bans on travellers from countries where a new variant is reported has not yielded a meaningful outcome," it said.

SA will remain on lockdown alert level 4, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Sunday night, maintaining the bans on alcohol sales and gatherings. Speaking during a national address that started at 8pm, Ramaphosa said the decision was taken following a meeting with cabinet earlier in the evening. About an hour before Ramaphosa's address, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said that there were 16,302 new Covid-19 cases recorded in the past 24 hours. There were also 151 Covid-19 related deaths recorded in the same period.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed that four new Covid-19 variant have been detected in South Africa, including the variant causing havoc in India. Bongani speaks to Professor Adrian Puren, Acting Executive Director at the NICD. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest: Prof Alex  Welte  | Research Professor  at South African Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis Gauteng’s third wave of coronavirus infections could be more severe than the second surge, according to the worst-case scenarios modelled by a consortium of experts co-ordinated by the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD). The consortium published its latest modelling, showing SA as a whole is likely to experience a third wave that peaks below the second. However, Gauteng, the Free State and North West could potentially fare worse in the next surge, depending on how individual behaviour and government restrictions affect transmission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says it has noted an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the Northern Cape, North West and Free State Provinces. Senior Epidemiologist at the NICD, Dr Harry Moultrie says NICD is working with the respective provinces to ascertain whether the rise in cases can be attributed to cluster outbreaks.

A Professor in the Centre for HIV and STIs at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) says there is no definitive evidence that people who have been infected with COVID-19 can be re-infected.

Vanessa is an e-Patient Scholar at Stanford University Medicine X as well as antibiotic resistance and one health activist. She established Healthcare Communications and Social Media South Africa in 2013 which started as a Twitter chat to discuss sustainable health development. Vanessa also created the first CPD course in South Africa about e-Patients accredited by the South African Medical Association (SAMA) and has further provided training to various organisationsincluding the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the Africa CDC.

Researchers from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the University of the Western Cape's (UWC) South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI) have sequenced the first SARS-COV-2 genome, which could help contain the spread of corona virus. SANBI researcher and co-author of the new report presenting the sequence Peter van Heusden says finding the "fingerprint" of a virus could allow one to understand how it spreads.

MultimediaLIVE — During a press briefing called by national health minister Dr Zweli Mkhize on Monday, Dr Kerrigan McCarthy from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) estimated that it would take 18 months for a vaccine for Covid-19 to be safely developed and administered. In this brief podcast, we outline everything you need to know about how Covid-19 began, how best to defend yourself against infection, what to do if you're infected and the progress being made to develop a vaccine.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) is anticipating an increase in malaria cases during the Easter holidays. The Instituted is warning travelers who will be going to high transmission areas in the country and outside, to take precautions against being bitten by mosquitoes. Sakina Kamwendo spoke to Communicable Diseases Expert at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Professor Lucille Blumberg

East Coast Radio — As the listeriosis crisis continues to grip the nation, and more products are being withdrawn from sale, many people have become really paranoid about what they can and can’t eat. And understandably - we are in the throes of what is, after all, the world’s biggest listeriosis outbreak. The latest figures released by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) are 978 confirmed cases and 183 deaths. Wendy Knowler reports...

East Coast Radio — South Africa’s listeriosis crisis been coming on for a while - the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has been tracking the cases for the past year, and keeping very quiet about it. The burning question is - where is the listeria coming from? More with Consumerwatch's Wendy Knowler.

CliffCentral.com — The plague outbreak in Madagascar has killed 102 and over 1,200 are infected. Should we start prepping for doomsday? Sonia chats to Prof. John Frean, who is an associate professor at the Parasitology Reference Laboratory Centre for Emerging, Zoonotic and Parasitic Diseases and Deputy Director at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service.