Areas we work in / Ngā Wāhi Mahi

Communicable diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality of all communities, with some sectors being more vulnerable than others. The impact of infectious diseases in NZ remains significant and many infections are avoidable through prevention or effective control measures.

The patterns of infectious diseases are continually changing. Infectious diseases often have the potential to cause large outbreaks of diseases such that local, regional or national population based approaches are required to control them.

Community and Public Health is responsible for carrying out effective surveillance and investigation of notifiable diseases in Canterbury, South Canterbury and the West Coast to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases. We do this by:

• Preparing for, assessing, and managing threats from communicable disease and emergencies. This includes the investigation of cases and outbreaks and institution of measures to control and prevent further spread
• Participation in aspects of surveillance (receiving notifications, data entry and participation in early detection systems)
• Advice on immunisation issues to local vaccinators and immunisation coordinators
• Authorisation of independent vaccinators
• Prevention measures to reduce likelihood of communicable disease spread. This includes promotion of healthy environments, environmental control measures and aspects of national immunisation programmes

Specific areas of interest include:

• Notifiable and Common Infectious Diseases
• Suspect Food Poisoning (or Acute Gastroenteritis)
• Immunisations
• Pandemic Planning
• Travel Vaccinations
• Rest Home Outbreaks

Community and Public Health staff also produce a number of publications with information on infectious diseases, such as the Public Health Information Quarterly and the Surveillance Reports.

Documents

	New Zealand Health Strategy 2000
	An Integrated Approach to Infectious Disease: Priorities for Action 2002-2006
	He Korowai Oranga: The Maori Health Strategy 2002
	Pacific Health and Disability Action Plan 2002
	Health Act 1956
	Tuberculosis Act 1948

Downloads - hard copies available from the Community Health Information Centre

  Childhood Immunisations
  Norovirus
  Infectious Diseases

Links

Ministry of Health
Environmental Science and Research (ESR)
NZ Public Health Surveillance
National Centre for Biosecurity and Infectious Diseases
Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (USA)
World Health Organisation
Communicable Diseases Australia