Microbe Mail

Microbe Mail is yet another year wiser! 🎉 It’s our 4th anniversary episode, and this year we chose to bust some of the wilder health myths online. Join us as we celebrate by trying to separate fact from fiction, exploring why these myths persist and what harm they can cause.

Myth 1: "Measles infection is not as serious as they all say it is"

Myth 2: "Doctors never tell you about this- the antibiotic version"

Myth 3: "It's time for that Candida cleanse"

Myth 4: The "benefits" of raw milk

Myth 5: "Hip-Hip-not so hip H-pylori"

Myth 6: Is Avian flu just for the birds?

Myth 7: The Germ theory "debunked"?

Resources from this episode:

• South African Measles 2025 update
• NICD Avian influenza guide
• Raw milk dangers and Q&A
• The "full-blown host theory" challenging the germ theory.

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In this special edition, we take you inside the Infection Control African Network Congress 2025, held in beautiful Cape Town from 29 June to 2 July.

Vin was on the ground capturing the energy, innovation, and passion driving infection prevention and control (IPC) across Africa and beyond. From cutting edge updates in infection control programs to inspiring discussions on IPC education, this episode is packed with insights straight from the experts.

And for an extra twist, three conference attendees stepped up as momentary messengers for the day, bringing fresh perspectives as they interviewed some of the most fascinating voices at the congress.

Our adhoc hosts:

Dr Lesego Mothibi

Dr Gilda Madeira

Dr Julia Phambane

About our Guests:

• Dr Amanda Khumalo FCPath, DTM&H, Clinical Microbiologist PathCare Laboratories, see bio HERE: The role of the HCW in breaking the chain of infection
• Dr Ifeyinwa Nwafia, Clinical Microbiologist, Management Sciences for Health, Nigeria : Assessment of the Pattern of Antimicrobial Use Among Hospitalized Patients in 16 Nigerian Hospitals: a Strategy to Improve Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme
• Mr David Frederick, Pharmaceutical technologist, Malindi Sub-County Hospital, Kenya, Best Poster Winner ICAN25: Building a foundation
• Mrs Briette du Toit Ludick, PG Infection Prevention and Control, MSc IPC: Cost effectiveness of implementing an environmental Cleaning programme
• Tawanda Mutiwazuka, Medical Virologist, The Avenues Clinic, Zimbabwe, Reflecting on the ICAN25 congress.

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In this special edition, we take you inside the Infection Control African Network Congress 2025, held in beautiful Cape Town from 29 June to 2 July.

Vin was on the ground capturing the energy, innovation, and passion driving infection prevention and control (IPC) across Africa and beyond. From cutting edge updates in infection control programs to inspiring discussions on IPC education, this episode is packed with insights straight from the experts.

And for an extra twist, three conference attendees stepped up as momentary messengers for the day, bringing fresh perspectives as they interviewed some of the most fascinating voices at the congress.

Our adhoc hosts:

Dr Lesego Mothibi

Dr Gilda Madeira

Dr Julia Phambane

About our Guests:

• Professor Shaheen Mehtar MBBS, FRCPath, FCPath, MD, see bio HERE: An overview of the congress
• Ann Versporten, MEHS, MPH, Research scientist, University of Antwerp, see bio HERE: Co-ordinating the Global PPS
• Annelies Boven, MSc, PhD candidate, University of Antwerp: Constructing the Operational module of the Global PPS
• Buyiswa Lizzie Sithole, IPC Consultant, see bio HERE: Challenges in implementing IPC practices in displaced and war-torn areas, and IPC strategies that work in the primary healthcare setting.
• Professor Joost Hopman, MD, PhD, DTMH see bio HERE: IPC and the hospital design and The effect of climate change on infectious disease
• Reshma Misra, MSc, Assistant Director: Provincial Infection Prevention and Control – KwaZulu Natal, see her bio HERE: Antimicrobial prescribing and HAI surveillance in KZN, and Primary Health Care preparedness for a pandemic

Resources from this episode:

• ICAN Website (https://icanetwork.co.za/)
• Global PPS website
• 8 core components of IPC

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In this episode, we review how genomics is being used to fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). From outbreak tracking to detecting resistance genes, genomic tools are transforming how we understand, diagnose, and manage infectious threats.

About our Guest:

Professor Sabiha Essack is a seasoned researcher and a former Wellcome Trust Research Fellow who completed research towards her PhD in Pharmaceutical Microbiology at St Bartholomew’s and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry in the United Kingdom. She currently serves as the South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Antibiotic Resistance and One Health and a Professor in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). View her inspiring and versatile biography HERE!

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In this episode, we dive into the world of outbreak response with two incredible guests from South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Drawing from their wealth of experience on the front lines of investigating and containing infections of public health concern, they share insights into what it really takes to respond swiftly, strategically, and effectively when outbreaks strike.

About our Guests:

Dr Vuyiswa Kumalo is a medical officer in the Outbreak Response Unit of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. She has over a decade’s experience as a clinician, currently pursuing a specialist physician fellowship in Public Health Medicine. She has extensive experience and expertise in clinical research and community health technical skills, and knowledge. Dr. Saffiya Umar is a medical Officer at the NICD’s Outbreak Response Unit of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. She graduated from UKZN and has since garnered a wealth of knowledge in community health. She has a special interest in tropical medicine, communicable diseases and public health.

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In this episode, we take a comprehensive look at malaria management—from selecting the appropriate treatment for each Plasmodium species, to recognising and treating complications, and exploring prophylaxis. Whether you're refreshing your knowledge or managing cases on the front line, this episode is packed with practical insights from our expert, who is back for a 2nd feature episode, Professor Lucille Blumberg.

About our Guest:

Professor Lucille Blumberg, MB BCH MMed (Clin Micro) ID (SA) FFTM (RCP Glasgow, travel medicine) DTM&H DOH DCH D.Sc. (Med) honoris.

She is a highly respected infectious diseases specialist and medical microbiologist, hailing from Johannesburg, who sits on many national and international expert groups. Her contribution to keeping the public safe from infectious disease has been hailed as the epitome of sustainable, groundbreaking research. She has honorary appointments at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the Universities of Stellenbosch (Medical Microbiology) and University of Pretoria (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences), South Africa. Her focus is on outbreak prevention and response, emerging diseases, travel-related infections, the viral haemorrhagic fevers, malaria and zoonosis, especially rabies.

She is the current chair of the Strategic Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards for the WHO Emergencies Programme and a member of the scientific advisory group for the WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases programme. She is a longstanding member of the National Rabies Advisory Group in South Africa and is the former chair of the South African Malaria Elimination Committee (SAMEC). Prof Blumberg has been involved in the prevention, detection and response to several communicable disease outbreaks, including cholera, typhoid, rabies, the Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Lujo, Rift Valley fever, Ebola), influenza (pandemic A H1N1, and Avian Influenza A H5N2) and diphtheria.

Her special interests are malaria, rabies, other zoonoses, East African Trypanosomiasis, travel and tropical medicine and border health issues. She has worked with Right to Care as a Technical Scientific Advisor since 2021. She has recently been appointed to the editorial board of the Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases. Other editorial positions include being African Advisor for the International Journal of Travel Medicine since 2018, and one of three editors for the International Journal of Infectious Diseases since 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she established DATCOV, a national surveillance system for patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalised. 

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This episode pits man’s best friend against one of man’s deadliest foes—rabies doesn’t play fetch nor does it leave many unscathed. Ruan speaks to one health champion and ID friend to many, Professor Lucille Blumberg, and they talk about the virus that turns loyal companions into lethal threats. How to diagnose it, how it's managed and most importantly how to prevent it.

About our Guest:

Professor Lucille Blumberg, MB BCH MMed (Clin Micro) ID (SA) FFTM (RCP Glasgow, travel medicine) DTM&H DOH DCH D.Sc. (Med) honoris.

She is a highly respected infectious diseases specialist and medical microbiologist, hailing from Johannesburg, who sits on many national and international expert groups. Her contribution to keeping the public safe from infectious disease has been hailed as the epitome of sustainable, groundbreaking research. She has honorary appointments at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the Universities of Stellenbosch (Medical Microbiology) and University of Pretoria (Faculty of Veterinary Sciences), South Africa. Her focus is on outbreak prevention and response, emerging diseases, travel-related infections, the viral haemorrhagic fevers, malaria and zoonosis, especially rabies.

She is the current chair of the Strategic Advisory Group for Infectious Hazards for the WHO Emergencies Programme and a member of the scientific advisory group for the WHO Neglected Tropical Diseases programme. She is a longstanding member of the National Rabies Advisory Group in South Africa and is the former chair of the South African Malaria Elimination Committee (SAMEC). Prof Blumberg has been involved in the prevention, detection and response to several communicable disease outbreaks, including cholera, typhoid, rabies, the Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (Lujo, Rift Valley fever, Ebola), influenza (pandemic A H1N1, and Avian Influenza A H5N2) and diphtheria.

Her special interests are malaria, rabies, other zoonoses, East African Trypanosomiasis, travel and tropical medicine and border health issues. She has worked with Right to Care as a Technical Scientific Advisor since 2021. She has recently been appointed to the editorial board of the Southern African Journal of Infectious Diseases. Other editorial positions include being African Advisor for the International Journal of Travel Medicine since 2018, and one of three editors for the International Journal of Infectious Diseases since 2017. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she established DATCOV, a national surveillance system for patients with COVID-19 who were hospitalised. 

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Dans un monde où une piqûre de moustique peut encore être mortelle, il est réconfortant de savoir que notre mentalité s'oriente désormais vers la prévention et l'élimination. Dans cet épisode, Miriam s'entretient avec le Dr Abdouramane Camara, un lauréat de la Bourse d'accélération de carrière en Afrique et pionnier en immunologie, au sujet des vaccins antipaludiques.

À propos de notre invité:

Le Dr Abdouramane Camara est chercheur postdoctoral au West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), à l'Université du Ghana. Après plus de dix ans passés dans plusieurs institutions européennes, il a su forger une solide expertise, le Dr Camara est revenu en Afrique pour contribuer à son avancement scientifique en développant un nouveau test clinique permettant d'évaluer l'efficacité des vaccins à un stade précoce et de prédire la protection à long terme.

Ses travaux de recherche visent à élucider les mécanismes impliqués dans la génération des plasmocytes à longue durée de vie et des cellules productrices d’anticorps, ainsi qu’à explorer leur capacité à prédire précocement l’efficacité d’une vaccination. Il s'intéresse particulièrement au paludisme, une maladie endémique dans de nombreux pays africains, et à l'efficacité des nouveaux vaccins antipaludiques. Au-delà du paludisme, il étudie également les vaccins procurant une immunité à long terme, voire à vie, afin de contribuer à l'amélioration de la conception et des stratégies de mise en œuvre des vaccins.

Malaria life cycle: Reproduced from PATH's Malaria Vaccines website at www.malariavaccine.org, 2024

Global Malaria programme

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In a world where a mosquito bite can still be deadly, it is comforting to know that our mindset has shifted towards prevention and elimination. In this episode, Ruan speaks to a fellow recipient of the African Career Acceleration Fellowship, Dr Abdouramane Camara who is a pioneer in immunology, about malarial vaccines.

About our Guest:

Dr Abdouramane Camara is a postdoc research fellow at the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP), University of Ghana. After spending over a decade in various institutions across Europe, gathering immense expertise, Dr Camara has returned to Africa to contribute to its scientific advancement by developing a new clinical test to evaluate the efficacy of vaccines at an early stage and predict long-term protection.

His research focuses on understanding the mechanisms underlying the generation of long-lived plasma cells, antibody-secreting cells and their potential to be early predictors of vaccination success. He is particularly interested in malaria, a disease endemic to many African countries, and the efficacy of newly introduced malaria vaccines. Beyond malaria, he is also investigating vaccines that provide long-term or lifelong immunity, aiming to contribute to improved vaccine design and implementation strategies.

Malaria life cycle: Reproduced from PATH's Malaria Vaccines website at www.malariavaccine.org, 2024

Global Malaria programme

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Antimicrobial resistance has become one of healthcare's biggest challenges, and in the fight against AMR getting the right drug, the right dose, right indication and the right route is everything. In this episode, we’re exploring the critical role clinical pharmacists play in antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). Join Nonks, the latest microbe messenger to take the mic, as she talks to seasoned clinical pharmacist Ama Annor.

About our Guest:

Ama Sakoa Annor, is a committed and proactive pharmacist who is trained in comprehensive pharmaceutical care for paediatric patients. She holds an MSc (Med) in Clinical Pharmacy and a DPharm Candidate with six publications.

She is currently working at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital as a ward pharmacist, stationed in the paediatric medical and surgical departments. She is a member of the hospital’s Pharmacy and Therapeutics, AMS, ADR Committee and other sub-committees.

She is also affiliated as a mentor with the Clinical Pharmacy Division of the School of Pharmacy of the Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.  

She has a passion for rational antimicrobial use and is privileged to be one of the mentees in the Ohio State University/Nationwide Children's Hospital - South Africa Train-the-Trainer program in the Neonatal Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in 2019. Two of the end products are the recent publications: 

“Prospective antimicrobial stewardship interventions by multidisciplinary teams to reduce neonatal antibiotic use in South Africa: the Neonatal Antimicrobial Stewardship (NeoAMS) study”. International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2024-06 | Journal article. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2024.107158

“Defining and responding to the contextual drivers for implementation of antimicrobial stewardship in 14 neonatal units in South Africa”; JAC-Antimicrobial Resistance 2025 Vol. 7 Issue 1 

https://doi.org/10.1093/jacamr/dlae222

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Also listen to this: Episode 6: A is for antimicrobial stewardship

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