The practice of medicine now requires greater appreciation of the impact of environmental systems on human health, as well as the impact of human systems on environmental health.

Brucellosis has earned its place alongside syphilis and tuberculosis as one of the ‘great imitators’ and causes of pyrexia of unknown origin.

Carefully consider travel and animal exposure history in all patients with undiagnosed febrile illnesses.

In patients with risk factors for leptospirosis, a high index of clinical suspicion is important to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.

Global climate change is a major threat to public health in the 21st century, therefore an understanding of the consequences and the possible responses is vital.

Maternal immunisation is playing an increasingly important part in improving maternal and neonatal health.

All Australian bats have the potential to carry and transmit lyssavirus, and risky exposures to bats are common. Timely notification following exposure is crucial to ensure appropriate management.

Q fever is the most commonly notified zoonotic disease in Australia, with the majority of cases reported from northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.

Given the current global context, heightened vigilance is essential for early detection and management of any imported measles cases.

The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the nonavalent HPV vaccine, the rationale for its use, and the updated dose scheduling requirements for HPV vaccine.

Early identification of all skin cancers enables improved patient outcomes and results in a wider range of treatment options being available locally in general practice.

Beliefs about the usefulness of initiatives to reduce opioid prescribing in clinical practice and autonomy in prescribing may be important considerations in driving compliance.

An updated overview of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the causative agent of melioidosis, including epidemiology, risk factors for infection, spectrum of clinical disease, diagnosis and management.

To prevent heat-related disease, GPs need to work across prevention levels to mitigate climate change, recognise vulnerable patients, and work with these patients to plan management strategies.

This fourth article in a series on communicable disease outbreaks introduces the larger legislative, executive and social framework within which health protection takes place.