Disease library
Understand what you are following.
Clear introductions, practical context and the original health guidance for every disease in the monitor.
30 diseases and monitoring categories
Ebola
A serious illness caused by several related viruses. Bundibugyo, Sudan and Ebola virus disease are distinct subtypes.
Read the guideBacterial zoonosisPlague
A bacterial infection that can affect lymph nodes, lungs or the bloodstream. Early antibiotics can be lifesaving.
Read the guideVaccine-preventable infectionMeasles
A highly contagious viral infection that can cause pneumonia and brain inflammation.
Read the guideWater and foodborne infectionCholera
A bacterial diarrhoeal infection that can rapidly cause dangerous dehydration.
Read the guideMosquito-borne infectionChikungunya
A viral infection whose joint pain may continue after the initial illness.
Read the guideMosquito-borne infectionWest Nile
Most infections cause no symptoms; a small proportion cause serious neurological illness.
Read the guideWater-associated zoonosisLeptospirosis
A bacterial infection associated with animal urine and contaminated water or soil.
Read the guideAnimal-associated influenzaAvian influenza
Animal influenza viruses can occasionally infect humans. Human cases and animal detections are counted separately.
Read the guideMosquito-borne infectionDengue
A viral illness that can sometimes progress to severe dengue, including after the fever eases.
Read the guideMosquito-borne infectionSindbis
A viral infection that can cause a rash and joint symptoms that sometimes persist.
Read the guideClose-contact infectionMpox
A viral infection that can cause painful skin or mucosal lesions.
Read the guideViral haemorrhagic feverMarburg
A severe viral illness related to, but caused by different viruses from, Ebola disease.
Read the guideRodent-associated infectionHantavirus
A group of viruses that can cause serious lung or kidney disease.
Read the guideVaccine-preventable infectionPolio
A viral infection that can invade the nervous system and cause paralysis.
Read the guideMosquito-borne infectionYellow fever
A mosquito-borne viral infection that can cause severe liver illness and bleeding.
Read the guideAnimal-associated infectionNipah
A virus that can cause serious brain inflammation or respiratory illness.
Read the guideRodent-associated infectionLassa fever
A viral illness that ranges from mild infection to severe disease, especially during pregnancy.
Read the guideRespiratory infectionMERS
A coronavirus infection that may cause severe respiratory disease.
Read the guideRespiratory infectionCOVID-19
A coronavirus illness that can range from mild symptoms to severe disease; some symptoms persist after infection.
Read the guideRespiratory infectionInfluenza
Seasonal flu is a viral respiratory infection that can cause complications in vulnerable people.
Read the guideMosquito-borne infectionZika
A viral infection that is often mild but can harm a developing baby during pregnancy.
Read the guideVaccine-preventable infectionDiphtheria
A bacterial infection whose toxin can damage the airway, heart and nerves.
Read the guideNeurological infectionMeningitis
Inflammation of the membranes around the brain and spinal cord, caused by several organisms. Bacterial meningitis is an emergency.
Read the guideVaccine-preventable infectionPertussis
Whooping cough is a bacterial respiratory infection that can be particularly dangerous for infants.
Read the guideMosquito-borne infectionMalaria
A parasitic infection that is preventable and treatable but can become life-threatening.
Read the guideWater and foodborne infectionHepatitis A
A viral infection of the liver that usually resolves but can occasionally be severe.
Read the guideTick-associated infectionCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
A tick-borne viral infection that can cause severe bleeding and organ damage.
Read the guideRespiratory infectionRSV
A common respiratory virus that can cause serious lower respiratory illness in infants and older adults.
Read the guideWater and foodborne infectionVibriosis
Infections caused by coastal-water Vibrio bacteria; some cause rapidly serious wound or bloodstream illness.
Read the guideUnclassified public health eventOther events
Official alerts that do not yet match a catalogue category remain visible here. An alert does not by itself confirm an outbreak.
Read the guide