Study aims to find why stomach bug rife in SC

Campylobacter continues to be the most prevalent notifiable disease in South Canterbury and there is a study under way to find out why.

Statistics from South Canterbury District Health Board show in March there were seven cases of campylobacter in Timaru, three in the Mackenzie district and two in Waimate.

There have been no known outbreaks or obvious connection between the cases, medical officer of health Daniel Williams said.

"The disease can have a long incubation period of up to 10 days which makes it difficult to find a cause.

"Campylobacter is a bacterial disease which causes diarrhoea, abdominal pain and high temperature which can be prolonged and serious. It is often a food-borne illness, chicken is frequently implicated, but it can also be caught directly from animals so freezing workers and dairy farm workers are at risk," he said.

It was estimated that there were 10,000 campylobacter cases in New Zealand each year. In 2006 there were 970 hospital admissions related to the disease.

"In order to better understand campylobacter a two-month study is under way in Canterbury and the West Coast which will involve detailed interviews with cases and further genotype testing of clinical specimens to try to identify links and possible sources," Dr Williams said.

"ESR is managing the study with Community and Public Health's assistance. Hopefully this will lead to better control of this disease."

In March two cases of salmonellosis were reported in Timaru, two in the Mackenzie and three in Waimate.

One case of Giardiasis was recorded in Timaru and one in Waimate.

A case of gastroenteritis and a case of Yersinosis were also reported in Timaru.

- © Fairfax NZ News