Measles outbreak worst in six years, with at least 37 locally acquired cases
The 2025 measles outbreak is already the worst in six years, with 77 confirmed cases. Data from April show at least 37 cases were locally…
Tag: Infectious diseases
Australia’s vaccination slump in five graphs
Immunisation coverage for children and adolescents is falling, with MMR and other critical vaccines frequently delivered late. The interim Annual Immunisation Coverage Report 2024, published…
A GP guide to tuberculosis
Need to know: Tuberculosis, caused by infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a significant health challenge globally. Although up to 25% of the world’s population will…
Why it’s better to give simultaneous COVID-19 and flu vaccines in different arms: Aussie study
When patients front up for their COVID-19 booster and influenza vaccine on the same day, should GPs recommend they put forward one arm or two? …
Smallpox could rise again, says bioterrorism expert Professor Raina MacIntyre
My interest in smallpox started in 2006 when I was on a committee that had to plan for potential biological warfare or terrorism. Bacteria and…
Medical Must-See: A ‘boring’ parasitic scalp infection
A chronic skin condition plus a rare parasitic fly left a US teen’s scalp teeming with “boring” worm larvae. The 15-year-old developed an intense focal…
Drains in hospitals and homes ‘hotspots’ for MRSA
Microbiologists have found that 27% of home plumbing fixtures and 15% of hospital fixtures contain culturable pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, of which half are…
Are you an expert or just a doctor with a platform?
Free speech. Hate speech. Cancelled speech. Who has the right to speak? Can doctors who have never been involved in the research or use of…
Doctors washing work clothes in domestic washing machines are an infection risk, study warns
Doctors and nurses who wash their work clothes in their home washing machines may be contributing to hospital-acquired infections and the rise of microbial-resistant bacteria,…
Just one place in Australia is hitting hepatitis B treatment targets — this is what it does
When Australia missed its target of treating 20% of chronic hepatitis B patients in 2022, there was one exception. Even in 2023, the national treatment…
