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Media Release - 20/01/2006
Update on 'Hepatitis A' Cases in Christchurch
No new cases of ‘Hepatitis A’ have been identified in the
results of those tested in the Christchurch child care centre outbreak.
The Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury Dr Mel Brieseman said today this
was good news.
“From the results so far available there have been no new cases identified.”
“The total remains at 30 cases.”
Vaccinations against ‘Hepatitis A’ were given to more than 270 staff, children
and family members at Ferrymead’s ABC Learning Centre on Tuesday.
Dr Brieseman is concerned that some people are being told they will be excluded
from a variety of work places until they have been declared free from Hepatitis
A.
“While it is appropriate in some situations for exclusion to occur, some of the
circumstances which have come to our notice are for tenuous reasons and are
clinically unnecessary.”
If managers are uncertain about whether exclusion is necessary in a particular
situation, advice should be sought from Community and Public Health staff.
Ends.
Further information contact:
Dr M A Brieseman
Medical Officer
Community & Public Health
Ph 3799480 Extn 803
Ministry of Health - Fact Sheet Information
Hepatitis A is spread through contact with the faeces (poo,
tutae) of an infected person.
It can be passed on through:
close personal contact – including sexual
poor personal hygiene
sharing personal things with an infected person (toothbrushes, facecloths, towels, etc)
contaminated water or milk
contaminated food – including shellfish, from infected sewage
The most infectious period for hepatitis A is usually from
two weeks before jaundice shows
until one week after. A blood test will show if someone has hepatitis A
infection.
Thorough hand-washing with soap and water stops the infection from being passed
on to other people. General household hygiene, advised at all times, includes:
washing hands before and after preparing food
washing hands before eating
washing hands after going to the toilet or changing baby’s nappy
Bed-linen, underpants, towels and handkerchiefs used during
the illness should be washed in hot water and detergent.
Hepatitis A help
Close contacts of the person with the hepatitis A virus may be offered an injection of antibodies (gammaglobulin) for temporary protection
Immunisation may be offered to contacts and is available for long-term protection against hepatitis A
Immunisation or gammaglobulin is recommended for travellers to some countries
Talk to your doctor if you are concerned about hepatitis A.
Hepatitis A is an illness that your doctor notifies to the Medical Officer of
Health in your local public health service. The public health service arranges
for follow-up, offers protection to contacts, and checks for a common food
source.
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| CDHB Communications |
