Scarlet fever is at its most prevalent for almost 50 years, official figures show.

The design of the Ellipta inhaler allows asthma or (COPD) patients to take one correct dosage every day, rather than take several every day.

A report by Argentinian doctors claimed a larvicide used in drinking water was responsible for a rise in cases of microcephaly,not Zika virus.

Perhaps we should arm parking wardens with the power to impose fines for littering? It would make the city nicer to be in and reduce the contamination, writes Sam Judd.

Travel insurance sales for trips to Latin America have surged, a top provider says.

WHO's declaration that the Zika outbreak is a global health emergency is the fourth time it has used its powers to require international collaboration.

British couples have been advised to stop trying for a baby for up to six months if a partner has returned from one of 23 countries hit by the Zika virus.

Couples have been advised to stop trying for a baby for up to six months if a partner has returned from one of 23 countries affected by the Zika virus.

The Cavendish banana is facing extinction from a deadly fungus and may have to be genetically engineered into a new variant, experts say.

New Zealand has the highest rate of melanoma in the world yet we have no effective therapy for advanced melanoma, writes Dr Chris Jackson.

In New Zealand we have a love/hate relationship with Pharmac, the agency that decides which drugs our Government will pay for.

Sir Douglas Myers is spending tens of thousands of dollars every month on chemotherapy drugs, including the new wonder drug Keytruda.

It has been heartbreak after heartbreak for the Elsmore family.

The deaths of two Whangarei rest home residents after an outbreak of respiratory virus at a Waipu care home is being investigated by health officials.

Richmond Villeran put his stomach pains down to his workouts at the gym. But after a week, and with his stomach growing, he knew something was wrong.

Lewy body dementia, the illness blamed for Robin Williams's early death, is often misdiagnosed - with tragic results, says Anna Magee.

Inspired by two friends' battles with cancer, an Auckland woman has decided to conquer the country - by bike.

When Kourtney Ryder experienced lower back pain during her pregnancy doctors put it down to the baby leaning on her spine.

A song, a charity and some sheep are helping fight a rare and always fatal disease that strikes children.

A NZ girl who travelled to the United Kingdom to undergo lifesaving surgery, only to be told she had cancer, has been given the all-clear.

Dr Ilse Dirkzwager specialises in doing scans, so when her identical-twin pregnancy felt wrong, she did a selfie ultrasound on her own belly.

Comedian Urzila Carlson was 20 when she was diagnosed with kidney cancer.

An outbreak of a highly contagious bug at Starship Hospital has forced sick children into isolation meaning families have been ordered to stay away.

All Whites legend Steve Sumner is facing the greatest battle of his life.

In a landmark finding, researchers said it was possible the "seeds" of dementia could be transferred from the brain tissue of one person to another.

A Tauranga girl, born with a rare birthmark, has set her sights on a conference where she can meet professionals specialising in her condition.

New Zealand scientist Jilly Evans will have you believe it was luck that made her one of the world's leading researchers in the development of therapies for cancer and arthritis.

A 4-year-old boy has died of flu in what experts are warning is one of the most intense seasons in recent years.