Latest from Diseases

More measles found in Christchurch

A second case of measles signals the disease has gained a foothold in Christchurch, health officials say.

Rheumatic fever vaccine 'now within reach'

While almost eliminated in most developed countries, New Zealand’s rate of rheumatic fever is 14 times the OECD average.

Vaccine combats pneumococcal disease in NZ

Rates of pneumococcal disease in New Zealand have plummeted since a vaccine was introduced, even among those who have not been immunised.

Kiwi nurse cleared of Ebola reveals relief

Kiwi nurse cleared of Ebola praised for selfless voluntary work

Nurse awaits results of second test

A Kiwi nurse who recently returned from Ebola-ravaged Sierra Leone has tested negative for the deadly virus.

Kiwi nurse tests negative for Ebola

Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says negative result is “great news”, but a second test is required to confirm the result.

'White girls don't have sex'

Parents of well-off Pakeha girls are less likely to get their daughters immunised against an STI because "white girls don't have sex", a health researcher believes.

Kiwi healthcare worker tested for Ebola

A returned healthcare worker is being tested to rule out Ebola. The patient has recently been in Sierra Leone as part of New Zealand's contribution to the international response to Ebola.

Black Death: Don't blame the rats

Researchers say gerbils, not rats, should be blamed for wiping out millions during the Black Plague.

Ebola terrorism threat assessed

Scientists at a top-secret military research unit at Porton Down, Wiltshire, have been assessing the potential use of Ebola as a bioterrorism weapon.

Disease in Samoa threat to All Blacks

It's not often the All Blacks can be accused of running scared but there are genuine fears over July's historic match against Samoa in Apia following an outbreak of a mosquito-born epidemic.

Ebola nurses meet Clark in stricken nation

A team of Kiwi nurses working as part of the international Red Cross Ebola response team in Sierra Leone got to meet Helen Clark this week.

Social justice advocate Celia Lashlie dies

Celia Lashlie, the Kiwi author whose work on the raising of teenage boys earned her respect around the world, has died this morning after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Advocate for social justice: I'm dying

Acclaimed social researcher and author Celia Lashlie has cancelled all speaking engagements to stay home with her family in Wellington after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Smartphones and the flu fight

Health authorities could gain an unprecedented picture of how the flu spreads with complex models that reveal how we move among each other.

Author diagnosed with terminal cancer

Celia Lashlie, the Kiwi author whose work on the raising of teenage boys earned her respect around the world, has terminal cancer.

Rivals seize on US vaccination row

The Republican Party was on the defensive yesterday after two of its leading presidential hopefuls indicated that they had sympathy for parents unwilling to vaccinate their children against infectious diseases, even in the midst of a dangerous outbreak of