Message from Executive Director
This publication comes at a challenging time, with the world grappling with the outbreak of hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS) over the past few weeks and now the Ebola outbreak in central Africa.
For us, at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), this is a moment of quiet pride. The relatively rapid detection of hantavirus reflects the dedication, expertise, and responsiveness of our teams, and we are grateful that these efforts have been recognised nationally and internationally for their swift turnaround and decisive action. The identification of the Andes virus linked to HPS continues a long tradition of scientific excellence within the organisation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NICD also played a key role in identifying the Omicron variant. We have communicated openly and transparently throughout this outbreak, which will go a long way in strengthening public trust. I commend and congratulate all the colleagues involved in the detection and response to the hantavirus outbreak. Read more about this outbreak on page 4, where our colleagues take you through the process.
Although this publication focuses largely on hantavirus, the team also covers other important developments within the Institute. In May, the Centre for HIV and STIs launched critical reports in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, highlighting the importance of strengthening HIV surveillance to improve care in South Africa. By bringing together routine testing data, laboratory information, and surveillance tools, we gain a clearer understanding of how people access services and move through the HIV care pathway.
Enjoy these and many more stories in this issue and expect more as we tackle the next challenge – Ebola!
