Ebola disease is caused by a group of viruses, known as orthoebolaviruses. It affects both humans and animals and spreads through close contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated materials. The disease was first identified in 1976 during outbreaks in …
Last week, 3 of our colleagues packed a fully functioning laboratory into a set of flight cases and boarded a plane to one of the most remote islands on Earth. Saint Helena, a UK Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic …
We are monitoring and providing public health advice about an outbreak of hantavirus linked to the Dutch cruise ship MV Hondius. Sadly, 3 foreign nationals have died in connection with the outbreak, however, the risk to the public is very low as hantavirus is not spread through everyday social contact.
Hantaviruses are a group of viruses carried by rodents such as mice and rats, transmitted by their droppings and urine. Hantaviruses are present throughout the world. They can be found in some areas of Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Where they are present, they can cause a range of diseases from mild, flu-like illness …
Three young people in Weymouth, Dorset have been confirmed to have meningitis B, known as MenB. All-three individuals have received treatment and are recovering well. These cases are not linked to the recent outbreak in Kent and this outbreak is not showing the same speed of transmission or severity of illness.
As we move into spring, protection from any earlier COVID-19 vaccination you may have had will be starting to wane. For those who are more likely to become seriously ill from COVID-19, the NHS offers a free vaccine in the …
Shigella is a bacterial infection that can cause severe diarrhoea and stomach cramps. It's more common than many people realise and understanding how it spreads is key to protecting yourself and others. Here, we answer some of the most frequently asked questions relating to it.
This blog post has now been archived. If you would like to see the content it is available on the website of The National Archives.
This blog post was first published during an outbreak of meningococcal disease (MenB) in Kent. It explained what to do, where you could get antibiotics if you were affected and who was being offered a vaccine.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that half of all vaccines produced worldwide never reach the people who need them. The reason? They lose their effectiveness before they can be used. Most vaccines must be kept cold from the moment …
