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.

WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
Visit the Microbe Mail website to sign up for updates
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Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe Mail
E-mail us: [email protected]

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

WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
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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.
WE'D LOVE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS EPISODE –
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Watch this episode on our new YouTube channel: Microbe Mail
E-mail us: [email protected]