- Australian Bat Lyssavirus
Australian bat lyssavirus (ABL) is a virus that can be transmitted from bats to humans, causing serious illness. The virus was first identified in 1996 and has been found in four kinds of flying foxes/fruit bats and one species of ...
- Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Avian influenza, or 'bird flu', is an infectious viral disease that normally affects only birds. Since 2003, outbreaks of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in poultry have occurred in a number of countries throughout Asia, Africa and ...
- Barmah Forest Virus
Barmah Forest virus is the name given to a virus that is carried by mosquitoes. The mosquito may have contracted the virus from infected marsupials particularly possums, kangaroos and wallabies or from infected humans. The infection is not ...
- Bats and human health
What is the risk to humans from bat diseases?
Bats and flying foxes may carry bacteria and viruses which can be harmful to humans.
Although the risk of infection is low, people should avoid handling these ...
- Botulism
Botulism is a rare but potentially fatal condition that causes progressive and often rapid weakness. In Australia, there is typically only one case of botulism reported per year. Botulism is caused by nerve toxins made by Clostridium ...
- Chickenpox Varicella
Chickenpox (also called varicella) is an acute infection caused by a virus, known as the varicella-zoster virus. For the majority of children chickenpox is a mild illness of short duration with complete recovery. It is more severe in ...
- Chikungunya virus
Chikungunya is a viral disease that is spread to humans by mosquitoes. It was first described in 1952 in Tanzania (in East Africa), and since then outbreaks and epidemics of the disease have been reported from many African countries, as well ...
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Cytomegalovirus infection is a common viral illness. Infection in children and adults is usually without symptoms but occasionally, symptoms similar to glandular fever can occur. In patients who have a lowered immunity from some cancers, ...
- Dengue
A fact sheet on dengue infection for the general public.
- Diarrhoea in Young Children
Diarrhoea is an increase in the frequency, runniness or volume of the faeces. Acute diarrhoea may be a symptom of infection of the digestive system (gastroenteritis) which is usually caused by a virus, but sometimes is caused by bacteria or ...
- Enterovirus 71 (EV71) Neurological Disease
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) neurological disease is a rare but serious complication of infection with Enterovirus 71, a virus which can also cause hand, foot and mouth disease. Although Enterovirus 71 causes frequent outbreaks of hand foot and mouth ...
- Fever
Fever is defined as an increase in body temperature above the normal range (greater than 37.3oC in the morning or 37.8oC in the evening).
- Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is the inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It may be caused by bacteria (such as campylobacter, salmonella and shigella), viruses (such as rotavirus or norovirus) or parasites (such as giardia and cryptosporidium)....
- Genital Herpes and Pregnancy
Both herpes simplex type 1 (HSV1) and herpes simplex type 2 (HSV2) can infect the genital area. Queensland Health Health HID : Infections and Parasites : Viral Infections Topic: Genital Herpes and Pregnancy Description The herpes simplex virus ...
- Glandular Fever
Glandular Fever is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. It can be spread by coughing and sneezing or by sharing eating and drinking utensils. Symptoms of the disease include fever, a sore throat, and swollen lymph glands.
- Hand Foot and Mouth Disease
Hand, foot and mouth disease is caused by a number of different viruses (coxsackie virus and less commonly enterovirus 71). It is not a serious illness and has nothing to do with animal diseases with similar names (ie. foot and mouth disease ...
- Hendra Virus Infection
Hendra virus was discovered following an outbreak of illness in a large racing stable in the suburb of Hendra, Brisbane in 1994.
The natural host for Hendra virus is the flying fox. The virus can spread from flying foxes to horses and, ...
- Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A, also known as infectious hepatitis, is an acute infection of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus. The seriousness of the disease can vary. Some people, especially small children, may not show any symptoms even though they ...
- Hepatitis B
Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by alcohol, some drugs and chemicals, and by infection. Hepatitis B is one form of hepatitis. It is caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B is one of the most ...
- Hepatitis C
Hepatitis is a disease or inflammation of the liver. Hepatitis can be caused by alcohol, some drugs and chemicals, and by infection. Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis c virus.
Hepatitis C is one of the most serious types of ...
- Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is spread through direct skin to skin contact with a person infected with HPV. This occurs most commonly through sexual contact. HPV may be passed from person to person by sexual contact where there is skin to ...
- Human Swine Flu - Advice For Women Who Are Pregnant Or Breastfeeding
The Human Swine Influenza virus [Pandemic (H1N1 2009] is a new and different strain of flu that is infecting people and spreading from person to person in the same way seasonal influenza and other common respiratory infections spread.
...
- Human Swine Influenza: While staying at home
This information is for you because you have been in close contact with someone who has, or may have Human Swine Influenza OR you have or may have the disease.
- Immunisation
Immunisation is an important issue for parents, travellers and people who are at risk for some diseases. Follow the links below to information on immunisation and the diseases that people can be vaccinated against, such as chickenpox, ...
- Influenza (The Flu)
Influenza or 'the flu' is a highly contagious disease caused by infection from influenza type A or B (or rarely C) virus. These viruses infect the upper airways and lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. In Australia, outbreaks of ...
- Influenza and immunisation
Information about immunisation to protect against influenza.
- Japanese Encephalitis
Japanese encephalitis (JE) is a serious infection of the brain caused by a virus that can be spread by some (but not all) types of mosquitoes.
JE occurs in many parts of Asia, and has recently occurred in Papua New Guinea. It has ...
- Kunjin Virus Disease
Kunjin virus disease is caused by a virus which is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Although only a small number of cases of Kunjin are reported annually, the virus is known to occur in many parts of Australia particularly in ...
- Measles
Measles is an acute, highly infectious illness caused by a virus. Measles can cause serious complications such as pneumonia (lung infection), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or otitis media (middle ear infection). ...
- Meningitis (viral)
Viral meningitis is an infection of the meninges (the thin lining of the brain and spinal cord). It can be caused by a number of different viruses and is often a complication of another viral illness. It is a fairly common disease. Almost all ...
- Mumps
Mumps is an infection of the salivary glands caused by the mumps virus. The most common gland affected is the parotid gland which causes swelling at the angle of the jaw in front of the ear. There has been a marked decline in the ...
- Murray Valley Encephalitis
Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain tissue and is usually caused by an infectious agent such as a virus. Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) is caused by the MVE virus. This virus is named after the Murray-Darling River Basin in ...
- Norovirus
Noroviruses are a group of viruses that can cause diarrhoea, stomach pain and vomiting in people. Illness caused by norovirus has several names, including 'stomach flu', 'viral gastroenteritis' or 'Norwalk-like viruses'.¿ Norovirus was recently ...
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Human Swine Influenza) - Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) information for prescribers
This is a factsheet for prescribers and clinicians providing drug information for Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 - Human Swine Influenza
Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (human swine influenza) is a new type of influenza virus.
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Human Swine Influenza - use of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
Information for patients regarding the use of Oseltamivir (trade name: Tamiflu)
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Human Swine Influenza: Frequently asked questions and answers about the vaccination program
This fact sheet provides questions and answers about the Pandemic(H1N1) Human Swine Influenza vaccination program.
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Human Swine Influenza: Frequently asked questions and answers about vaccine safety
This fact sheet provides questions and answers about the Pandemic(H1N1) Human Swine Influenza vaccine.
- Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Human Swine Influenza: Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders are at higher risk of serious illness from Human Swine Influenza. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders are more likely to have other illnesses that can lead to more serious ...
- Parvovirus B19
An information sheet on Parvovirus B19 (Erythema Infectiosum, Slapped Cheek Syndrome or Fifth Disease) for the general public.
- Poliomyelitis (polio)
Poliomyelitis (or polio) is an infection caused by three types of polioviruses. The virus can affect the cells of the central nervous system causing paralysis. Following the introduction of polio vaccine there has been a dramatic decrease in ...
- Post-Polio Syndrome
Poliomyelitis is a viral infection that can lead to paralysis of the arms, legs or the diaphragm (which controls breathing). Further symptoms including new weakness, joint and muscle pain and fatigue - can occur years after the initial bout of ...
- Rabies
Rabies is a disease of the nervous system caused by the rabies virus. Rabies infects domestic and wild animals, and is spread to people through close contact with infected saliva (usually from bites or scratches, but potentially from licks to the ...
- Reye's Syndrome
The illness occurs mainly in young children and usually follows a viral infection, such as the flu, chicken pox, or upper respiratory infection. Queensland Health Health Information Directory Home HID : Infections and Parasites : Viral Infections ...
- Ross River Virus
Ross River virus (sometimes called epidemic polyarthritis) is a disease caused by a virus which is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Ross River virus disease occurs widely in Australia. In northern and central Queensland, ...
- Rotavirus
Rotaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause severe viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children. They cause about half of all hospitalised cases of gastroenteritis in children less than five years of age.
In temperate climates, ...
- Rubella (German measles)
Symptoms of rubella may include a generalised rash and fever, arthritis or painful joints, headache, swollen lymph glands (especially at the back of the neck), cough, runny nose and conjunctivitis. The rubella vaccination is offered as part of a ...
- Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by a virus called SARS-associated coronovirus.
The disease first appeared in southern China in late 2002, then spread to 28 other countries, with 774 deaths from more than 8,000 cases. ...
- Shingles (Herpes-Zoster)
Shingles (or herpes zoster) is a condition caused by the chickenpox (varicella-zoster) virus.
Shingles can only occur in people who have previously had chickenpox.
When a person recovers from chickenpox, the virus does ...
- West Nile Virus
West Nile virus is a viral infection carried by mosquitoes. Most people infected with the virus have no symptoms. About 20 per cent of people infected develop mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, fatigue and aching muscles. There is ...
- Yellow fever
Yellow fever is a serious viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes in parts of Africa and South America. Vaccination is a legal requirement for people travelling through infected areas.
