Disease

Syphilis - Auckland, New Zealand

The Auckland District Health Board is warning people of the increased danger of the transmission of syphilis amid an outbreak of the disease. So far this year, there have been 124 cases of the sexually-transmitted disease reported. Regional Public Health Service figures show 78 percent of cases reported in the last year were men. People who had contracted the disease were predominantly between the ages of 20 and 49.

Syphilis is a serious disease that, if left untreated over time, can affect the brain, spinal cord and other organs. The infection can also have a serious impact on unborn babies, leading to stillbirth or congenital syphilis, as well as potentially causing abnormalities such as blindness, deafness and meningitis.

Legionnaires Disease - Belgium

The Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in the Evergem area, Flanders, Belgium has reached 29 cases, according to Zorg en Gezondheid. Of the 29 patients infected, 10 of these people are at home, 17 patients are still in the hospital, 4 of whom are in intensive care (though not in danger). 2 people died.