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Influenza virus.
Infectious diseases
Bronchitis
Bronchitis is inflammation of the larger airways in your lungs, causing an ongoing cough. Read more about symptoms and how to reduce the risk of bronc...
Chickenpox
Chickenpox is a mild and common childhood illness, but can also occur in adults. Here’s how to help ease symptoms and discomfort.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in Australia. Find out how you can help avoid it and when to get tested.
Colds and flu (influenza)
Colds and flu are different illnesses caused by different viruses. Learn about difference between colds and flu and read our advice on how to best pre...
Cough
Most coughs are caused by viruses which inflame the throat, windpipe or lungs. Here are some tips to relieve the symptoms.
Conjunctivitis
Known as ‘pink eye’, conjunctivitis is a contagious disease that turns the whites of the eye pink. Read about symptoms and treatments here.
Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea may last for only a few days, or may be a sign of something else. Find out here about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatments.
Ebola - Who is at risk?
Ebola is a rare and often fatal illness. Learn about the Ebola virus, who’s at risk, symptoms and treatment options.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is spread by skin-to-skin contact – even through kissing or foreplay. There are things you can do to control it, so read on.
Gonorrhoea
Also known as 'the clap', gonorrhoea often has no symptoms. Learn how to spot symptoms, maintain and how gonorrhoea is treated.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B can lead to liver damage over time. If it turns out you have hepatitis B, it is important to protect others from infection. Find out how.
HIV infection and AIDS
Today, people with HIV are unlikely to develop AIDS if they get effective treatment. Here’s what to do if you think you might have been exposed.
Impetigo
Impetigo is a highly contagious skin infection that causes sores and blisters. It's very common and affects mainly children.
Lyssavirus (ABLV)
Find out about Australian bat Lyssavirus, and learn how it can be prevented if you are bitten or scratched by a bat.
Measles
Anyone can get measles if they haven't been vaccinated or haven't had measles before, but it's most common in kids. Learn more about this illness.
Mumps
Mumps is a contagious viral infection, most common in children between 5 and 15 years. These days it’s rare thanks to effective immunisation.
Rubella
Rubella (also known as German measles) is best prevented by the MMR vaccination. Learn more about its distinctive rash, other symptoms and treatments.
Shingles
Shingles is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus. Find out how to recognise the symptoms and what treatments are available.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is when the hollow spaces in the bones of your face become inflamed. Sinusitis is a common symptom for colds and the flu and it can be diffi...
Sore throat (pharyngitis)
A sore throat is normally a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection and is common with a cold or flu.Learn more about the self-care of sore throats.
Staph infections
Trusted information on a staph infection, including what it is, who is at risk, how you get it, treatment and prevention, plus links to other resource...
Syphilis
Syphilis is relatively rare in Australia. It can cause serious health problems if left untreated. However, syphilis is easy to cure if found early.
Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is an infection and swelling of the tonsils at the back of the throat. Learn about its symptoms and treatments.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a highly contagious bacterial infection and most serious in babies. Here’s how to spot symptoms and protect infants.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body.
Vomiting
Vomiting in adults is usually not a sign of anything serious and tends to only last one or two days. Learn the causes and when to seek medical advice.
Worms in humans
Signs of a threadworm infection include an itchy bottom, disturbed sleep, irritability, tiredness and a lack of interest in eating.
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Vaccine Preventable Diseases
Vaccination against a range of bacterial and viral diseases is an integral part of communicable disease control world-wide. Vaccination against a specific disease not only reduces the incidence of that disease, it reduces the social and economic burden of the disease on communities. Very high immunisation coverage can lead to complete blocking of transmission for many vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs). The world-wide eradication of smallpox and the near eradication of polio from many countries provide excellent examples of the role of immunisation in disease control.
Read more on Department of Health website
Overview of the Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN)
The Public Health Laboratory Network (PHLN) is a collaborative group of laboratories, which have expertise and provide services in public health microbiology in Australia and New Zealand.
Read more on Department of Health website
Communicable diseases information
This page contains information on some of the activities of the Office of Health Protection, in managing communicable diseases in Australia
Read more on Department of Health website
About Communicable Diseases Network Australia
Information page about the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA). It details the CDNA's background; its various committees and activities; the composition of the CDNA; and recent publications and contact details.
Read more on Department of Health website
Notification of infectious diseases and related conditions
Notifiable infectious diseases must be reported the Department of Health (the Department).
Read more on WA Health website
Infectious Conditions - Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
This section provides information about infectious conditions (also known as contagious or communicable diseases) that affect the health and quality of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including hepatitis (hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C), influenza, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and gastrointestinal conditions.
Read more on Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet website
Infectious Disease
Read more on NSW Health website
Infectious Diseases | Public Health
Notifiable diseases are those with a significancefor public health and must by law be reported to the Director of Public Health
Read more on Tasmanian Department of Health and Human Services website
Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Exclusion for infectious diseases
The spread of some infectious diseases can be lessened by keeping a person who is known to have the infection away from others who are at risk of catching it.
Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website
Infectious Diseases Exclusion Periods Tool
Find out whether your child needs to stay off school if they have an infectious disease and when they can go back to school or day care. Of course, if your child is physically unwell they should always be excluded from attending school, pre-school and child-care centres. If your child's condition isn't listed, or if you aren't sure how long your child should stay at home, see your doctor.
Read more on myDr website
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About Communicable Diseases Intelligence
This page contains introductory information about the journal Communicable Diseases Intelligence
Read more on Department of Health website
Surveillance systems reported in Communicable Diseases Intelligence, 2015
Communicable Diseases Intelligence, publishes a number of annual, quarterly, and regular reports produced by various communicable disease surveillance groups. This document summarises the methodology used for each of these regular reports to be published during 2015
Read more on Department of Health website
Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA)Conferences
The Communicable Diseases Control conferences are held biennially.
Read more on Department of Health website
Laboratory case definitions for diagnosis of communicable diseases
The Public Health Laboratory Network have developed a case definition to be used for diagnosis of certain communicable diseases. This page contains links to these case definitions.
Read more on Department of Health website
Communicable Diseases Intelligence - Current issue - December 2015
This issue containstwo peer-reviewed articles, one surveillance summary, several policy/guidelines items and one annual report, as well as the regular quarterly data reports.
Read more on Department of Health website
National notifiable diseases: Australia's notifiable diseases status: Annual report of the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System
The National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System monitors the incidence of an agreed list of communicable diseases in Australia. This page links to annual reports from 1994.
Read more on Department of Health website
Guidelines for the public health management of trachoma in Australia
These guidelines have been produced by the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) and detail recommendations to ensure consistent trachoma screening, control measures and data collection in Australia.
Read more on Department of Health website
Pre-departure Communicable Diseases Health Screening Protocols for Refugees Arriving from Africa
This diagram depicts the steps that should be taken for screening refugees arriving from Africa and is current as of February 2006.
Read more on Department of Health website
The health of Australia's prisoners 2012 (AIHW)
Prisoners have significant health issues, with high rates of mental health problems, communicable diseases, alcohol misuse, smoking and illicit drug use. 38% of prison entrants have ever been told they have a mental illness, 32% have a chronic condition. 84% are current smokers, but almost half of them would like to quit. 37% of prisoners about to be released said their health was a lot better than when they entered prison.
Read more on AIHW – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website
Pertussis
CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Unit
The Series of National Guidelines have been developed in consultation with the Communicable Diseases Network Australia and endorsed by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). Their purpose is to provide nationally consistent advice and guidance to public health units (PHUs) in responding to a notifiable disease event. These guidelines capture the knowledge of experienced professionals, built on past research efforts, and provide advice on best practice based upon the best available evidence at the time of completion.
Read more on Department of Health website
