Monthly Notifiable Disease Surveillance Report - Jul 2021

COVID-19: There were 128 cases of COVID-19 reported in July 2021 (126 confirmed and 2 under investigation), compared with 34 cases for the same month in 2020. Of the 126 confirmed cases, 76 were in managed isolation/quarantine (MIQ) facilities at the time of diagnosis and 50 were international mariners from four separate ships docked at New Zealand ports. Four cases were hospitalised, and no deaths were reported. More information can be found on the ESR COVID-19 dashboard.

Haemophilus influenzae serotype b: A case of Haemophilus influenzae serotype b (Hib) disease was reported in July 2021. The case was aged under 1 year, unvaccinated, and had no known contact with another case.

Invasive pneumococcal disease: There were 90 cases of invasive pneumococcal disease reported in July 2021, compared with 44 for the same month in 2020. All 90 cases were laboratory confirmed. The majority (58/90, 64.4%) were aged 50 years and over. Two deaths were reported, both in cases aged 70 years and over. A serotype was identified in 85 (94.4%) cases, and the most common serotype was 19A, accounting for 36 (42.4%) cases, including 10 cases aged under 5 years.

Yersiniosis: There were 146 cases of yersiniosis reported in July 2021 (144 confirmed and 2 under investigation), compared with 111 for the same month in 2020. From January to July 2021 there have been 867 yersiniosis cases reported, compared with 577 for the same period in 2020. Yersinia enterocolitica biotype 2/3 serotype O:9 was identified in the majority (76/105, 72.4%) of cases that had been typed. Investigations are underway into the source of the increase.

OUTBREAKS

COVID-19:
Three outbreaks of COVID-19 were reported in July 2021, involving 49 overseas mariners. Eighteen were crew members on board the Viking Bay fishing vessel which was docked in Wellington, 16 were crew members on the Playa Zahara fishing vessel that docked in Lyttelton and 15 were crew members on board the MS Mattina container ship that docked in Bluff. Whole genome sequencing showed all three outbreaks were due to the Delta variant.

Respiratory illness: There were 95 respiratory illness outbreaks reported in July 2021 involving 1311 cases. Thirty-four outbreaks were reported as influenza-like illness (ILI) and 61 were reported as acute respiratory infection (ARI). Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was identified in 50 outbreaks and rhinovirus was identified in one outbreak. No pathogen was identified in the remaining 44 ILI/ARI outbreaks. Sixty-three outbreaks were in long-term care facilities, 30 were in childcare centres, one was in a hospital and one was in a school.

Salmonellosis: Since the last report, one further case of Salmonella Enteritidis sequence type 11 has been identified as belonging to the Enteritidis_2019_C_01 cluster that was first reported in the March monthly report. From January to July 2021 there have been 48 cases reported. The outbreak strain has been identified in poultry and egg farms, prompting MPI to extend its food testing programme to reduce the risk to consumers.