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).

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

Issue 18 – February 2025 New.

  • Update on the current national pertussis epidemic.
  • Have your say on the Christchurch City Council Local Alcohol Policy (LAP).
  • How to notify hazardous substance injuries.
  • Increase in acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in Waitaha Canterbury.

Issue 17 – December 2024

  • New national guidance on pertussis testing.
  • Warnings for toxic algal blooms.
  • Importance of measles vaccination.

Issue 16 – July 2024

  • Rheumatic fever transfers and development of national register.
  • June was Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month.
  • Syphilis (pākewakewa) is still a thing.
  • Recent Sex and Consequences seminar in Ōtautahi Christchurch.

Issue 15 – April 2024

  • Rise in cases of hepatitis A this year.
  • Lead poisoning linked to Ayurvedic medicine.
  • Mpox vaccination still available.
  • Aranui Bike Fix-up.

Issue 14 – December 2023

  • Rise in cases of mumps this quarter.
  • Notification of sexually transmitted infections.
  • Neonatal BCG for infants at risk of tuberculosis.
  • Update on the National Public Health Service.

Issue 13 – June 2023

  • Case of legionellosis in a Canterbury rest home.
  • Rise in incidence of typhoid fever.
  • IUD as emergency contraception.
  • Food testing available in response to suspected food poisoning.

Issue 12 – February 2023

  • Suspected measles: Notification and testing.
  • Dealing with suspected cyanobacterial poisoning.
  • Reduced immunisation coverage rates.
  • Sparklers: Online resource supporting the wellbeing of children and young people.

Issue 11 – December 2022

  • Cases of Legionnaire’s disease notified
  • Monkeypox: Latest information including name change.
  • Hepatitis A outbreak associated with frozen berries continues.
  • Free health assessment for 2022 Special Ukraine Visa Holders.
  • COVID-19: Cases increase.

Issue 10 – October 2022

  • Hepatitis A outbreak associated with frozen berry consumption.
  • Monkeypox update.
  • COVID-19 update, mortality and inequities analysis.

Issue 9 – May 2022

  • Evolution of COVID-19 response.
  • Respiratory Illness Reports resume.
  • Information on Monkeypox.
  • Measles numbers on the rise globally.
  • Community and Public Health becoming part of the new National Public Health Service.

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.

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Page last updated: 07/03/2025

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