The Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group (CIDG) editorial base said a fond farewell to Anne-Marie Stephani on Friday 25th August.

In this instalment of the CIDG 'Meet the Editor' series, we talk with Dr Gerry Davies. He is a physician who learned infectious diseases in South Africa, Thailand, and the UK. His research work spans the development and evaluation of anti-infective agents from preclinical pharmacology to systematic reviews with a particular emphasis on tuberculosis and HIV. Could you describe where you currently work and what you do there?

Modena is home to balsamic vinegar, Ferrari, Pavarotti, and Cochrane Italy. So, where better to learn about GRADE – an approach that allows researchers and guideline developers assess the certainty of research evidence. For years we struggled with how to express how accurate an estimate is in a meta-analysis, how much it varies between studies, and whether we are confident this is a true effect and applicable to the population we are interested in.

Should we propose a national policy that recommends fewer episiotomies? Should the government of Sri Lanka add rotavirus vaccine to their child vaccination schedule? Should hospitals continue with dry care to the umbilical cord, or add in chlorhexidine swabbing?

In this 10th instalment of the 'Meet the Editor' feature, we talk with Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group (CIDG) Editor Emmanuel Effa. His current position is Senior Research Associate with Cochrane Nigeria, where he co-ordinates training as part of the Cochrane Trainers Network and oversees the Branch's mentoring programme.

TDR, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, is a global programme of scientific collaboration that helps facilitate, support and influence efforts to combat diseases of poverty.

Bednets with insecticide in the fabric reduce child deaths by about one-fifth in malaria areas in Africa – that was the key message of the Cochrane Review published in 1998. Since then the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group (CIDG) malaria portfolio has expanded to over 70 reviews.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) kills up to 40% of people it infects. It’s an emerging problem in the Eastern Mediterranean region, particularly in Turkey, Iran, and Russia. Spain has recently seen its first domestically contracted cases. CCHF is spread by ticks and is endemic in areas of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Until now there have been no international guidelines specifically for treating CCHF.

From 27th February to 10th March 2017, the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group (CIDG) editorial base welcomed Dr. Francis Mhimbira as a visiting fellow. In this report, he provides an insight into his involvement with the CIDG and his time at the CIDG editorial base in Liverpool.

Every year, Cochrane UK organizes an annual symposium for all its networks, including UK- & Ireland-based Cochrane contributors, researchers, health professionals, students, charities, patient advocates, and other interested groups. This year's symposium took place at Keble College, Oxford on the 14th