Controlling the spread of infectious diseases
Community and Public Health is responsible for investigating cases of infectious diseases, as well as controlling their spread within our community. The goal is to reduce future occurrences of infectious disease.
Community and Public Health compiles and reports data on infectious disease trends for our region (disease surveillance).
- Read the latest Public Health Information Quarterly on regional infectious disease trends and observations.
- Read the latest Notifiable and Influenza Surveillance Reports.
Staff are also prepared to deal with large local, regional or national outbreaks or health emergencies. Examples include a national flu pandemic or the threat of water-borne diseases in the Christchurch Earthquake aftermath.
Some infectious diseases must be reported
The Health Act 1956 requires medical practices and other agencies or institutions, to report the following notifiable disease types to the local Medical Officer of Health:
- Common enterics (e.g. Campylobacter, Salmonella, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Yersinia)
- Serious enteric (e.g. Typhoid, Shigella, Cholera, Paratyphoid, Listeria, Hepatitis A)
- Vaccine preventable (e.g. Measles, Mumps, Pertussis/Whooping Cough, Rubella)
- Other Serious (e.g. Meningitis, Legionella, Mosquito borne, Avian Influenza, Hepatitis B and C)
- Download the Complete List of Notifiable Diseases (Ministry of Health).
- Download or order resources on Infectious Diseases.
- Download frequently asked questions information on notifiable diseases and surveillance [PDF].
- Download factsheets on diseases of public health importance.
The Communicable Disease Team’s response depends on the seriousness of the disease, and could involve:
- A postal or phone questionnaire, hospital visit and/or interview
- Taking samples from an infected person to discover if they are contagious or are no longer infected.
- An investigation into the source of the infection.
- Offering preventative medication to people who have been in contact with an infected person.
- Download forms for reporting an outbreak in a Rest Home.
- Find out how to report a case of food poisoning or acute gastroenteritis.
Prevention is better than cure
Infectious disease prevention is also a big priority for Community and Public Health. The National Immunisation Programme for children is important in protecting against diseases such as measles. Another valuable vaccination programme is the annual influenza vaccination for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and chronically ill.
Medical Officers of Health are responsible for authorising vaccinators, and Communicable Disease staff can provide advice on immunisation issues.
Documents
- An Outbreak of Waterborne Gastroenteritis in Darfield, Canterbury July-August 2012 (Community and Public Health 2013)
- Measles outbreak in Canterbury 2009 (NZ Public Health Surveillance Report, December 2009)
- Communicable Disease Control Manual (Ministry of Health 2012)
- Health Act 1956
- Tuberculosis Act 1948
Downloads
Download or order resources from the Community Health Information Centre.
- Infectious Diseases – revised March 2016
- Campylobacter, E. coli and Salmonella – revised December 2016
- Norovirus
- Rotavirus
- Mumps
Links
Contact the Communicable Disease staff at your local office for further information:
CANTERBURY
Ph: +64 3 364 1777
Fax: +64 3 379 6484
SOUTH CANTERBURY
Ph: +64 3 687 2600
Fax: +64 3 688 6091
WEST COAST
Ph: +64 3 768 1160
Fax: +64 3 768 1169
Become an Authorised Vaccinator
Community and Public Health deals with applications and renewals for authorised vaccinators and vaccination centres.
Download a list of Yellow Fever Vaccination Clinics in Canterbury, South Canterbury, and West Coast.
Ministry of Health advice on Zika virus
The Ministry of Health recommends that women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant in the near term postpone or reschedule travel to areas with Zika virus present.
Anyone travelling to any Pacific Island country or a Zika-affected country should protect themselves against mosquito bites, including women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Anyone who feels unwell after traveling overseas should call Healthline on 0800 611 116 or phone their GP or hospital prior to visiting. It is important that you inform your health care providers of any recent travel history.
Travel Health and Vaccination
Community and Public Health no longer provides information on vaccinations for overseas travel.
Contact your local medical practice or a specialist travel medicine clinic (as listed in the Medical section of the White Pages) for more information.