Monthly Notifiable Disease Surveillance Report - Aug 2014

Campylobacteriosis: 504 cases of campylobacteriosis were notified in August 2014 compared to 637 cases notified during the same month of the previous year. For the 12 month period ending 31 August 2014, the highest DHB rates were in South Canterbury (315.7 per 100 000 population, 180), West Coast (211.3 per 100 000 population, 69), and Hawke’s Bay (202.6 per 100 000 population, 315) compared to a national rate of 152.8 per 100 000 population.

Cryptosporidiosis: 49 cases of cryptosporidiosis were notified in August 2014 compared to 87 cases notified during the same month of the previous year. The cases ranged in age from three months to 72 years, with high numbers of cases in the 1–4 years (15 cases),20–29 years (7 cases) and 30–39 years (6 cases) age groups. The highest number of cases was reported from Waikato DHB (15 cases). Among the cases where risk factor information was recorded, 69.2% (18/26) had contact with farm animals, 48.3% (14/29) had attended school, pre-school or childcare, 39.1% (9/23) had contact with faecal matter, and 35.0% (7/20) had consumed untreated water. One finalised Cryptosporidium outbreak (3 cases) was reported in August.

Chikungunya fever: One probable case of chikungunya fever was notified in August 2014. The case was a male in the 60–69 years age group from Auckland DHB. The case was in Tonga during the incubation period.

Cysticercosis: One confirmed case of cysticercosis was notified in August 2014. The case was a male in the 20–29 years age group from Waikato DHB. Probable sources identified included possible contact with pigs.

Giardiasis: 125 cases of giardiasis were notified in August 2014 compared to 150 cases notified during the same month of the previous year. The highest numbers of cases were reported from Waitemata (19 cases), Counties Manukau (15 cases), Waikato (13 cases) and Capital & Coast and Canterbury (10 cases each) DHBs. Among the cases where risk factor information was recorded, 53.2% (25/47) had contact with other symptomatic people, 47.1% (16/34) had consumed food from a food premises, 43.5% (20/46) had contact with faecal matter, and 35.7% (15/42) had recreational contact with water. Six Giardia outbreaks were reported in August, including three finalised outbreaks (6 cases) and three interim outbreaks (case numbers yet to be determined).

Hepatitis not otherwise specified (NOS): Two confirmed cases of hepatitis NOS were notified in August 2014. Both cases were male and were in the 20–29 years and the 60–69 years age groups. One case was infected with hepatitis E. The cases were from Lakes and Hutt Valley DHBs. One of the cases had travelled to India during the incubation period and the other to Bangkok, Thailand and Cambodia.

Hydatid disease: One case of hydatid disease was notified in August 2014. The case was a male in the 50–59 years age group from Tairawhiti DHB. The case is still under investigation and had no risk factors recorded but old cystic disease was discovered by abdominal ultrasound.

Invasive pneumococcal disease: 52 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease were notified in August 2014 compared to 46 cases notified during the same month of the previous year. The highest numbers of cases were reported from Auckland (10 cases), Counties Manukau (9 cases), and Capital & Coast (6 cases) DHBs. The cases ranged in age from four months to 97 years, with the highest numbers of cases in the 70+ years (17 cases) and 60–69 years (11 cases) age groups. Thirty-seven cases were hospitalised and one death from invasive pneumococcal disease was reported. Of the cases where risk factor information was recorded, 34.3% (12/35) had a chronic illness, 25.0% (8/32) were smokers, and 22.2% (8/36) were immunocompromised.

Salmonellosis: 65 cases of salmonellosis were notified in August 2014 (two of these cases have since been found not to meet the case criteria after further investigation) compared to 90 cases notified during the same month of the previous year (Figure 1). The highest numbers of cases were reported from Canterbury (12 cases), Waitemata and Auckland (9 cases each) DHBs. The cases ranged in age from 7 months to 78 years, with the highest numbers of cases in the 20–29 years (10 cases), 1–4 years and 30–39 years (9 cases each) age groups. Three cases were hospitalised. Among the cases where risk factor information was recorded, 54.5% (12/22) were overseas during the incubation period, 50.0% (7/14) had consumed water from a non-habitual water supply and 37.5% (6/16) had contact with farm animals. The serotype involved was recorded for 62 (98.4%) cases. The most common serotypes were Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 56 variant (7 cases) and S. Typhimurium phage type 155 (6 cases). Two interim Salmonella outbreaks were reported in August (case numbers yet to be determined).

Shigellosis: 14 cases of shigellosis (12 confirmed and 2 probable) were notified in August 2014 compared to six cases were notified in the same month of the previous year (Figure 2). The highest numbers of cases was reported from the Waitemata (4 cases), Capital & Coast and Counties Manukau (3 cases each) DHBs. Six (42.9%) cases had overseas travel information recorded. Of these, four (66.7%) were overseas during the incubation period for the disease. Countries visited included India (2 cases), Cambodia, Indonesia and Viet Nam (1 case each). One of the cases visited more than one country. The serotype involved was recorded for 12 (85.7%) cases: Shigella sonnei biotype g (6 cases), S. sonnei biotype f (3 cases), S. flexneri 2b (2 cases), and S. sonnei biotype a (1 case). Two interim Shigella outbreaks were reported in August (case numbers yet to be determined).

Toxic shellfish poisoning: Two suspect cases of toxic shellfish poisoning were notified in August 2014. Both cases were male and were in the 20–29 years and the 30–39 years age groups. The cases were both from Canterbury DHB. Both cases had collected and consumed mussels.