Public Health Bulletin South Africa

19/12/2025

Thank you for being part of the PHBSA community; your interest and engagement help advance public health surveillance.

We’ll be operating with skeleton staff this festive season, so responses may be a little slower, but our commitment to clear, reliable public health information remains unchanged. In the meantime, we encourage you to read our latest articles and subscribe to our mailing list at https://www.phbsa.ac.za/.

Wishing you a safe, healthy and re-energising festive season from all of us at the PHBSA.

17/12/2025

Our latest report shows the potential use of wastewater and environmental surveillance as a complementary surveillance tool for monitoring disease transmission. Learn how WES supports early detection: https://www.phbsa.ac.za/wastewater-surveillance-infectious-diseases-sa-2024/

08/12/2025

Wastewater and environmental surveillance (WES) has historically provided surveillance data to support monitoring of communicable diseases such as cholera and polio. More recently, WES provided surveillance data during the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox virus multi-country outbreak. Our latest report unpacks the application of WES for infectious disease surveillance, including measles, rubella, influenza, hepatitis A and E, mpox and tuberculosis, and describes method development and results for surveillance programmes over 2024. Read the 2024 findings here: https://www.phbsa.ac.za/wastewater-surveillance-infectious-diseases-sa-2024/

24/11/2025

South Africa is in the grips of a growing antimicrobial resistance crisis. National Health Laboratory Service experts warn that every unnecessary antibiotic prescription, even for viral infections, brings us closer to a major health setback, as drug-resistant bacteria and fungi, such as Candida auris, are already entrenched in hospitals. Learn more here:

Experts warn that improper use of antibiotics and antifungals is creating deadly germs that could overwhelm healthcare systems in the coming decades.

24/11/2025

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) doesn’t stay in one place. Misuse of antibiotics and antifungals in hospitals, farms, and communities increases the spread. Co-ordinated action across human, animal, and environmental health, through the One Health approach, is important. Learn more in this PHBSA opinion piece: https://www.phbsa.ac.za/antimicrobial-resistance-the-threat-we-can-see-if-we-choose-to-look/

19/11/2025

Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, making prevention essential. Vaccination not only protects against the disease but also reduces bacterial spread yet less than 1% of South Africans are vaccinated, and meningococcal vaccination is not part of the public programme.
Two vaccines are needed to ensure full protection. Improved awareness, access, and campus-based vaccination opportunities can save lives. Discover more policy recommendations from the brief here: https://www.phbsa.ac.za/advocating-for-meningococcal-vaccination-among-tertiary-students-in-south-africa-policy-brief/

17/11/2025

Meningococcal disease can progress quickly, turning early symptoms such as fever, headache, or fatigue into a medical emergency.

In 2023, South Africa recorded a 17% case-fatality rate, and nearly one in five survivors experienced long-term effects like hearing loss or amputations. Most deaths occurred within one day of admission.

This policy brief highlights why prevention is essential for student health. Learn more here:https://www.phbsa.ac.za/advocating-for-meningococcal-vaccination-among-tertiary-students-in-south-africa-policy-brief/

17/11/2025

Dr Susan Meiring advocates for meningococcal vaccination among tertiary students and hopes to see vaccines become more accessible and affordable for those at high risk. Read more here: https://www.phbsa.ac.za/qa-with-dr-susan-meiring-advocating-for-meningococcal-vaccination-among-tertiary-students-in-south-africa/

14/11/2025

Dr Susan Meiring highlights the importance of meningococcal vaccination to protect young adults and support South Africa’s commitment to the global “Defeating Meningitis by 2030” roadmap. Learn more here: https://www.phbsa.ac.za/qa-with-dr-susan-meiring-advocating-for-meningococcal-vaccination-among-tertiary-students-in-south-africa/

12/11/2025

Dr Susan Meiring, Medical Officer at the NICD, explains how the study came about and her role in it. Read more about it here: https://www.phbsa.ac.za/qa-with-dr-susan-meiring-advocating-for-meningococcal-vaccination-among-tertiary-students-in-south-africa/

10/11/2025

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases has confirmed an outbreak of a rare bloodstream infection linked to a commonly used probiotic in private hospitals in Gauteng and the North West. This is the first outbreak of its kind reported in South Africa. Get the full story here:

The NICD has confirmed South Africa’s first recorded outbreak of Alkalihalobacillus clausii bloodstream infections.

10/11/2025

South Africa is one of 15 African countries with a high meningitis burden. National Institute for Communicable Diseases experts are calling for stronger protection for university students against meningococcal disease, which can cause sudden death or serious long-term complications. Learn more here:

Communicable disease experts are advocating for steps to be taken to protect university students against meningococcal disease, which can lead to sudden death or severe long-term complications.