Canterbury still at risk from Hepatitis A outbreak
13 Jan 2006
The Canterbury Medical Officer of Health says it is possible the outbreak of Hepatitis A in Christchurch is not over.
Mel Brieseman says there have been 21 recent notifications of the disease, most involving adults.
Dr Brieseman says the ABC Childcare Centre in Ferrymead is a common feature, but a series of other functions - such as a birthday party - were also involved in the spread of the disease.
It is believed the disease was probably introduced to the centre by someone returning from overseas.
Dr Brieseman says hygiene in the community, such as hand-washing, is nowhere near as good as it should be - so when a disease like Hepatitis A is introduced, it spreads very rapidly.
