Infectious diseases

Infectious diseases are spread from one person to another or from an animal to a person. The spread of a communicable disease usually happens via airborne viruses or bacteria (for example, by coughs and sneezes), but disease can also spread through contact with blood or other bodily fluid.

Pandemic influenza and large-scale vector-borne diseases, food-related illness and water-borne diseases can require an emergency response.

Infectious diseases – overview

Infectious diseases transfer from person to person or from animal to person. The Victorian Government has plans for managing a pandemic emergency.

Ebola virus disease (EVD)

Ebola virus disease is a serious and often fatal disease caused by the Ebola virus. Symptoms can include sudden onset of fever, muscle pain and headache. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.

Pandemic influenza

There are emergency plans in place at the state, national and international level to respond to influenza pandemis.

Reviewed 23 March 2022

Infectious diseases