COVID-19 (coronavirus)

COVID-19 is a contagious disease caused by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), with the first known case identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, headache, fatigue, breathing difficulties, loss of smell, and loss of taste; however, about a third of people infected are asymptomatic. Symptoms begin 1 to 14 days after exposure, though people remain contagious for up to 21 days.

COVID-19 can be transmitted via contaminated airborne particles or droplets through sneezing or coughing, notably in close proximity (2 meters/6 feet). The risk of transmission indoors is higher even over longer distances.

Preventative measures include vaccination; wearing masks covering the mouth and nose; distancing measures (e.g. isolation, quarantine, social distancing); ventilating indoor spaces; and proper hygiene/sanitization of hands and avoiding touching one's eyes, nose, or mouth.

For more information:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic (WHO)

Monkeypox

Monkeypox is an infectious viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus, related to the variola virus which causes smallpox.

Symptoms include fever, swollen lymph nodes, muscle pains, and a rash that forms blisters and then crusts over. These symptoms begin 5 to 21 days after exposure and typically last 2 to 4 weeks. Though monkeypox is usually mild, with most people recovering within a few weeks without treatment, people can remain contagious for over a week after the lesions have crusted.

Monkeypox can spread from infected animals via bites/scratches or by handling infected meat. Human-to-human transmission can occur through exposure to infected body fluids by small droplets; airborne transmission is also possible.

Despite having no cure, monkeypox vaccines can be up to 85% effective in preventing close-contact infection and in lessening the severity of symptoms. Preventative measures include regular handwashing and avoiding contact with infected people or animals.

For more information:
Monkeypox (WHO)

Meningitis

Meningitis is acute or chronic inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord; it can be caused by a bacteria or a virus.

Common symptoms include fever, headache, and neck stiffness. Other symptoms include confusion or altered consciousness, nausea, vomiting, and low tolerance of light or loud noises. Meningitis can lead to serious long-term consequences such as deafness, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, or cognitive deficits, especially if not treated quickly.

Meningitis can be transmitted through droplets during close contact (e.g. kissing, sneezing, coughing), though bacterial meningitis cannot be spread only by breathing contaminated air. Viral meningitis is commonly spread through fecal contamination.

Some forms of meningitis are preventable by immunization with various vaccines or by short-term antibiotic prophylaxis.

For more information:
Meningitis (WHO)