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Infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are caused by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. Find out about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention.

Find an infectious disease

Avian influenza

Avian influenza is generally only found in people who have had a lot of close contact with infected birds or other infected animals.

Chickenpox

A highly contagious disease most common in tamariki that causes small itchy blisters on the skin.

COVID-19

COVID-19 symptoms, testing, vaccination, isolation, masks and what to do if you test positive.

Cryptosporidium

A parasite found in the gut of infected people and animals. People become infected when they swallow the parasites.

Dengue

An infection spread by mosquitoes. It is not usually serious and gets better on its own, but it can be severe in some people.

Diphtheria

A serious infectious disease that can cause throat infections that can lead to breathing difficulties. Diphtheria is rare in Aotearoa.

Ebola

A viral disease that can cause bleeding, organ failure, and death. There is currently no ebola in Aotearoa New Zealand. The main risk of getting it is from travel to countries with an outbreak or after one.

E. coli

Most types of E. coli are harmless. But some can cause diarrhoea (gastroenteritis).

Enterovirus D68

Enterovirus D68 is a virus that can cause mild to severe flu-like (respiratory) illness.

Flu (influenza)

Flu spreads quickly and causes fever, runny nose, cough or upset stomach. Different strains can make you sick each year.

Giardia

A parasite (living thing) found in the guts of people and animals such as cattle, sheep, cats and dogs. It is also found in infected water such as lakes and streams.

Haemophilus influenzae disease type b (Hib)

A bacteria that causes serious illness in tamariki. It can cause swelling of the brain or throat.

Hand, foot and mouth disease

A common viral infection. It causes mouth ulcers, and spots on the hands and feet. It mostly affects tamariki under 10.

Hepatitis A

An infectious liver disease caused by a virus. It is more common in developing countries. Some travellers need a vaccine.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is caused by a virus that attacks and damages the liver. Find out about symptoms, causes, spread and treatment.

Hepatitis C

A virus that causes inflammation of your liver. If left untreated, Hepatitis C can cause liver disease (cirrhosis), liver failure and liver cancer.

HIV and AIDS

HIV is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens its ability to fight everyday infections and diseases.

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Common viruses passed on by skin contact. People usually have no symptoms. Some types of HPV cause genital warts, cell changes or cancer.

iGAS

iGAS infections are very serious infections. They are caused when the Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria infects an area of the body which normally does not have any bacteria growing in it, causing you to become very sick. This can include areas of the body such as in the blood, skin, bones, joints, birth canal after having a baby, and other internal organs.

Listeriosis

A food-borne bacteria that can make you sick. Usually causes few or no symptoms. But some people are more at risk of severe disease.

Measles

Measles is a serious and highly contagious disease. Aotearoa is at very high risk of a measles outbreak. The best protection against measles is the free measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Meningococcal disease

A bacterial infection that can cause meningitis or blood poisoning leading to permanent disability, deafness or death. Early treatment is very important.

Mpox (monkeypox)

A virus that causes a rash or sores. It spreads from close contact. People with mpox may have to isolate.

Mumps

A disease that spreads easily and can cause swelling in the glands around the face. For some people it can be serious and cause symptoms that last a long time.

Pneumococcal disease

Infections caused by bacteria that range from mild ear and sinus infections to serious lung and blood infections.

Polio

A viral disease that spreads very easily and can cause muscle weakness or paralysis. Cases are increasing globally and could come here.

Preventing the spread of respiratory illnesses

Find out what to do if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness and how to reduce the risk of spreading it to other people.

Rheumatic fever

Rheumatic fever is a serious but potentially preventable illness that often starts with a sore throat. Without treatment, sore throats can cause rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can damage you heart — this is called rheumatic heart disease.

Rotavirus

A viral infection that causes runny poos, vomiting and fever. It most often affects pēpi and tamariki and can be serious.

Rubella

A contagious viral infection that causes a spotty rash. Rubella is usually mild — but can cause problems if you are pregnant.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)

RSV is a common respiratory illness that causes lung and respiratory tract infections. Symptoms are similar to a cold and tend to get better on their own after 10 days. In some cases RSV can cause more serious complications.

Shingles

A painful blistering rash. Anyone who had chickenpox is at risk of developing it. The best protection against shingles is immunisation.

Slapped cheek

Slapped cheek is a viral infection caused by the parvovirus. It causes bright red cheeks and is most common in tamariki (children). Some adults can get slapped cheek.

Tetanus

A rare but serious disease that is fatal if it is not treated. It is caused by a bacteria toxin getting into a wound.

Tuberculosis

An infectious disease that usually affects the lungs. It can be inactive for many years before it becomes active, and can be very serious.

Whooping cough

A long coughing illness that spreads easily between people. It can be very serious for pēpi, tamariki and older adults.

Zika virus

Zika is a virus mainly spread by mosquito bites. The mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are not normally found in Aotearoa New Zealand.