Specific Infectious Diseases of Public Health Concern

Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterium commonly found in the gut. Some strains can cause serious food poisoning, leading to diarrhoea and sometimes to life-threatening complications including haemolytic uraemic syndrome (WHO, 2018a). 

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral infection caused by the CCHF virus. It causes severe viral haemorrhagic fever outbreaks and epidemics. CCHF outbreaks have a case fatality rate of 10-40% (WHO, 2025). 

West Nile virus disease is a potentially fatal neurological disease caused by a virus transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes. The virus is a member of the flavivirus genus and belongs to the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex of the family Flaviviridae (WHO, 2017). 

Diphtheria is a widespread severe infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae and the toxin they produce. It is a potentially life-threatening, vaccine-preventable disease that primarily affects the throat and upper airways and has the potential for epidemics (WHO, 2024a).

Anthrax is a disease caused by the spore-forming bacteria Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivorous animals, although all mammals, including humans, can contract it. In humans, anthrax manifests itself in three distinct patterns (cutaneous, gastrointestinal, inhalational) (adapted from WHO, FAO, & OIE, 2008; CDC, 2020). 

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a rare but severe zoonotic viral infectious disease caused by the Ebola virus. It can be characterized by haemorrhagic fever and is often fatal in humans. EVD can trigger epidemics with high case-fatality rates (WHO, 2025). 

Listeriosis is a foodborne infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes which can be invasive (the more serious form of the disease) or non-invasive (the milder form of the disease). Listeriosis outbreaks occur in all countries and can be a significant public health concern (WHO, 2018).

Trypanosomiasis, human African (sleeping sickness) and animal trypanosomosis (nagana) are caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Trypanosoma transmitted by infected tsetse flies and is endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. Without treatment, the disease is considered fatal (adapted from WHO, 2023 and FAO, no date). 

Measles is a highly contagious, serious disease caused by a virus from the paramyxovirus family. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications, and even death (adapted from WHO 2024).

Prion diseases are a family of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders that affect both humans and animals (Adapted from CDC, 2024, and WHO, no date).