Public Health Updates

These regular email newsletters from Community and Public Health provide information about notifiable diseases and other public health issues to health professionals in our coverage area (Canterbury, South Canterbury, West Coast and the Chatham Islands).

• Subscribe to receive the Public Health Update from Community and Public Health.

This publication replaces the Public Health Information Quarterly (PHIQ).

Issue 8 – July 2021

• Restart of respiratory reports.
• COVID-19 serology testing for travellers.
• Getting Through Together: Matariki campaign.
• Cases of rheumatic fever.
• Notification of sexually transmitted infections.

Issue 7 – March 2021

• COVID-19 “High Index of Suspicion” notifications.
• Vibrio parahaemolyticus outbreak.
• Te Hā – Waitaha Smokefree Support.

Issue 6 – December 2020

• Enteric infections.
• Preparations for community cases of COVID-19.
• Alcohol harm over the summer.
• Getting Through Together: Simple things that bring us joy.

Issue 5 – October 2020

• Update on local response to COVID-19.
• Getting Through Together.

Issue 4 – July 2020: COVID-19

• New case definition.
• New Āwhina app for health workers.
• Snapshots of cases in the Community and Public Health coverage area.

Issue 3 – February 2020

• Trusted information sources on Novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
• National measles notifications have reduced.
• Increase in national mumps notifications.
• 2019 Canterbury Wellbeing Survey results available in Canterbury Wellbeing Index.

Issue 2 – November 2019

• Measles cases continue.
• Legionnaire’s disease numbers climb in spring.
• Resources for parents from All Right?
• Immunity against pertussis/ whooping cough wanes over time.

Issue 1 – September 2019

• We’re updating our ways of sending information to you.
• Measles outbreaks are now centred on Auckland.
• Sporadic rheumatic fever cases continue in the South.
• Explore your community’s health and wellbeing with the Canterbury Wellbeing Index.

Latest public health updates

• Restart of respiratory reports
• COVID-19 serology testing for travellers
• Getting Through Together Matariki campaign

Latest public health alerts

• COVID-19 in “managed isolation and quarantine facility” staff - 5th November 2020
• National Health Advisory: COVID-19 Case Definitions Update - 6th April 2020
• National Health Advisory: Prioritisation of the Annual Flu Vaccination - 23rd March 2020

Featured links

• Information on COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health
• Information on RSV (Ministry of Health)
• COVID vaccination programme in Canterbury, West Coast and Chatham Islands

Helpful links

• Authorised Vaccinator Forms
• Disease Notification Forms
• Latest Influenza and Respiratory Pathogens Report