By Edina Amponsah-Dacosta, University of Cape Town and Julie Copelyn, University of Cape Town South Africa has experienced outbreaks of cholera since January. The worst was in May in Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria, where nearly 30 people died. Cholera is…
South Africa now faces its fourth outbreak of mainly childhood diseases since last year. This follows the confirmation of a diphtheria outbreak by the National Department of Health last week after cases were recorded in Kwazulu-Natal and in the Western…
South Africa’s vaccine manufacturing capacity has received a major boost with an R281 million grant from the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB). The funds will support the expansion of Biovac, Southern Africa’s only human vaccine manufacturer…
South Africa has welcomed the news that the World Health Organisation (WHO) plans to launch a new TB Vaccine Accelerator Council. The National Department of Health says it’s a critical step in the journey to end tuberculosis. Director-General of…
A vaccine candidate, called R21, has been shown to be up to 80% effective at preventing malaria in young children, according to the latest trial results. This follows from a study published in 2021 from the same team at Oxford…
Across the globe, research helps find the root cause of the health challenges or diseases in our society, identify ways to improve behaviours of the affected community, and find solutions to our health issues. Clinical research has critical in bringing…
South Africans will have to continue wearing face-masks in indoor public spaces for now. The National Department of Health announced limited regulations on Wednesday an hour before current COVID-19 regulations were due to expire at midnight. These limited restrictions, which…
South Africa could enter its fifth wave of cases earlier than expected, following a sharp spike in cases after the Easter weekend, says health minister Joe Phaahla. Speaking during a media briefing on Friday (29 April), Phaahla said the fifth wave was initially…
A global study has found that neonatal sepsis in newborns – caused by antibiotic resistance – is a rising cause of death. The study, conducted by the Global Antibiotic Research & Development Partnership (GARDP), examined just over 3,000 babies from…
With this year’s flu season expected to be more severe, South Africans should seriously consider getting their influenza jabs, a local disease expert warns. Health-e News spoke to Professor Hannelie Meyer about why it is important to get a flu…
The National Department of Health has made amendments to the National Health Act to ensure government is equipped to control and manage the resurgence of COVID-19. Minister of Health, Joe Phaahla, confirmed that a number of regulations from the disaster…
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has urged South Africans to report adverse effects experienced due to COVID-19 vaccines. This call comes at a time when reporting of such events has hit a low in the country. Florah…
As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads rapidly across the globe, Johnson & Johnson (J&J) are working hard at developing a vaccine to fight the highly infectious strain. They are also testing the waters to see how safe their jab…
A study, released today, has provided the first global evidence that two COVID-19 doses, followed by a booster, may not provide sufficient protection against being infected with the Omicron variant. South African and German scientists conducted the study when the…