Infectious diseases – The Conversation

When state health departments, federal health agencies and medical societies diverge, how is an ordinary person supposed to know whom to trust?

No Australian pets have contracted H5 bird flu, but overseas outbreaks suggest cats are particularly vulnerable.

Medicine and technology may have advanced, but the dangers of the wilderness remain unchanged. The Oregon Trail game provides timeless tips on how to enjoy nature safely.

Petting zoos can be a lot of fun for all the family. But a recent tragic case reminds us there are infection risks.

Thousands of Australians unwittingly contracted HIV and hepatitis C before donated blood was routinely tested. Could a new Senate inquiry mean fairer compensation?

Measles is making a comeback around the world. In places with low vaccination rates, a few cases can quickly become an epidemic.

The federal government’s actions could leave the island’s wildlife more vulnerable to H5N1.

From eggs and jalapenos to dog food, granola and pet turtles – it seems like you can catch a Salmonella infection from just about anything these days.

For some illnesses, shorter courses of antibiotics work just as well as longer ones, but researchers are still working out the ideal timescales for many infections – and it may not line up with when you feel better.

The honey is being exported without the knowledge of the honey harvesters that keeps consumers safe.

Nearly 9% of Vietnamese wildlife farmers have been infected with hantavirus, pointing to the risks of current farming practices.

Nearly 9% of Vietnamese wildlife farmers have been infected with hantavirus, pointing to the risks of current farming practices.

This seemingly harmless hobby could accelerate the spread of the deadly H5N1 strain.

Measles is making a comeback around the world. In places with low vaccination rates, a few cases can quickly become an epidemic.

Three experts explain how the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola may have crossed continents.

Respiratory diseases like measles and flu pose a much bigger threat to public health for the World Cup than does Ebola.

Distrust in health care during infectious disease outbreaks can have devastating consequences. Here’s what we can do about it.

Thailand has built a connected healthcare system to track people’s health even in rural villages.

Warmer ocean waters are fueling the spread of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus. Infections can lead to a rare but fatal condition called necrotizing fasciitis.

By interfering with how communities collect data and how researchers access it, the CDC risks undermining the hard-won trust needed for effective public health.