Linda Erasmus

Linda Erasmus is a medical epidemiologist working at the Centre for Enteric Diseases (CED), National Institute for Communicable Diseases. The CED performs surveillance activities for a wide range of enteric bacteria, viruses and parasites associated with diarrhoea and enteric fevers. The centre staff provide policy advice, scientific and technical support to the government and assist with the investigation and response to enteric disease outbreaks. The CED laboratories provide specialised testing for enteric bacteria and viruses, including molecular epidemiological testing such as whole genome sequencing which is used to characterise isolates and determine relatedness. This is of critical importance in outbreak investigations and outbreak source attribution. The CED contributes to the training of medical professionals and co-hosts WHO training workshops for the Southern African region, to build laboratory and epidemiologic capacity in other African countries for enteric and foodborne disease outbreak investigations
Experience: Linda Erasmus joined the NHLS in 1992, after completing her specialist degree she worked in routine diagnostic laboratories until she joined the NICD in 2010.