Tag Archives: new zealand herald

New Zealand – Cryptosporidium Outbreak?

The New Zealand Herald763px-Cryptosporidium_parvum_01

Hawke’s Bay’s water operators are checking the region’s supplies for contamination of Cryptosporidium.

Health authorities have issued a warning following the diagnosis of 45 people over the past two months.

Medical Officer of Health Dr Nicholas Jones said the health protection team is analysing information to establish the cause of the outbreak – and expect there is more than one source.

“We’ve been in touch with the water operators and they don’t think they’ve got problems at the moment, but obviously it’s something we’re going to be looking into in more detail,” said Dr Jones.

New Zealand – Paralyitic Shellfish Poisoning Alert – PSP

New Zealand HeraldMarlith

At least seven people have been poisoned by eating shellfish in the Bay of Plenty, prompting warnings from health officials.

In a 24 hour-period over the weekend, five people went to Rotorua Hospital with symptoms of toxic shellfish poisoning with a further two unrelated cases were seen at Tauranga Hospital.

All of those who had fallen ill had eaten shellfish collected from the coastline between Mount Maunganui and Papamoa. Their symptoms ranged from tingling round the mouth and face, tingling of the skin on their arms and hands, mild weakness when walking, and diarrhoea and vomiting.

For up-to-date information on health warnings in Bay of Plenty go to www.ttophs.govt.nz and click on health warnings or call (0800) 221 555 and press 6 to speak to the on-call Health Protection Officer.