Public health alerts

Date issued: 19 December 2024

Information to share with patients who have a 4Fr Bard/BD PICC line.

Our clinicians have reported issues with some 4Fr Bard/BD PICC lines. For example, some of these lines have developed a crack in them.

A PICC line is a peripherally inserted central catheter line. It is a long, flexible tube that is inserted into a vein, and is used to give medicines or fluids.

In response, Health NZ has taken a precautionary approach, to reduce any clinical and patient risks. We have alerted our clinical teams, so they check closely for any issues. We are also moving to use alternative products for new PICC line insertions.

Patients who are already using this product are being asked to be alert for any signs that there may be a problem. The attached brochure for patients includes more details about what to look for and what to do if there are any concerns.

This is not a product recall. There is no requirement to remove this type of PICC line, unless damage is suspected.

Health New Zealand has worked closely with Pharmac and Ministry of Health on this issue. A product safety alert has been issued by the manufacturer.

This alert relates solely to 4Fr Bard/BD PICC lines – it does not involve other sizes of BD PICC lines, or other brands.

Important information about your PICC line (PDF 220KB) (external link)

Date issued: 22 November 2024

The National Public Health Service and the Public Health Agency declared a national pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic on 22 November 2024.

Read the public health alert and advice for the health sector.

Public health alert - National pertussis (whooping cough) epidemic — 22 November 2024 (external link)

Whooping cough epidemic declared across Aotearoa New Zealand (external link)

Date issued: 3 October 2024

Warmer weather and daylight saving bring many Kiwis out into the garden. However, it’s also unfortunately the time when gardeners are most at risk of catching Legionnaires’ disease from bags or bulk loads of potting mix and compost.

With 108 cases of the disease already confirmed across the country this year, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is urging gardeners to take care.

“Bagged potting mix and compost can contain Legionella bacteria, which when breathed in, can cause Legionnaires’ disease” says Dr Cheryl Brunton, Medical Officer of Health for the National Public Health Service. “This disease is a type of pneumonia, which can be severe and in some cases life threatening.”

Across the country, there is typically a spike in cases of Legionnaires’ disease in spring that can be associated with increased gardening activity and warmer weather.

Dr Brunton says there are some simple actions gardeners should take to avoid getting Legionnaires’ disease:

• Work with potting mix or compost in a well-ventilated outdoor area
• Wear a well-fitting face mask. An N95 or respirator is best
• Wear gloves when handling potting mix or compost
• Open potting mix or compost bags carefully using scissors and open them away from your face
• Reduce dust by dampening down the potting mix or compost before using it
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling potting mix or compost and before touching your face or removing your mask.

“Legionnaires’ disease is a very serious illness and following these simple steps can be lifesaving,” says Dr Brunton.

The illness may be mild but can sometimes be fatal. It is more common in older people, particularly if they smoke, have poor immunity or a chronic illness. However, even healthy young people have died from Legionella pneumonia.

Symptoms can include a ‘flu-like’ illness, with a dry cough, high fever, chills, shortness of breath, muscle aches, headaches, and diarrhoea. If you have these symptoms, you should contact your health care provider right away for advice and let them know you have been handling potting mix or compost.

Legionnaires' disease (legionellosis) — Health Information and Services (external link)

Health alert for Whangārei Harbour

Issued 30 April 2025

Health alert for Kaipara Harbour and Kaiwaka and Otamatea rivers

Issued 30 April 2025

Taipā residents warned against swimming and collecting shellfish

Issued 29 April 2025

New measles case in Auckland with exposure on Fullers360 ferries and supermarket

Measles: locations of interest (external link)

Date issued: 5 December 2024

Public Health strongly advises not to use the lake for any recreational activities.

The Public Health warning issued on 4th December 2024 for Lake Ngā Roto, has now been escalated to extreme risk.

Waikato Medical Officer of Health Dr Liz Becker says repeat testing this week has confirmed that there has been a highly significant rise in cyanobacterial levels. As a result, the alert remains in place. Recent test results returned a 1,203 mm3/L, far higher than the Guideline Value of 1.8 mm3/L.

“The cyanobacteria currently in the lake may produce toxins which are extremely harmful and may cause serious illnesses,” Dr Becker says.

It is strongly advised not to undertake any recreational use of the lake where there could be skin contact or swallowing of lake water. Avoid all recreation on the lake including kayaking, fishing, boating and swimming.

“Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria and its related toxins,“ she says.

If you have used Lake Ngā Roto recently and have any of the following symptoms, please seek medical attention such as contacting your GP:

• a rash
• skin and eye irritation
• allergy symptoms such as hayfever and asthma
• or possibly stomach upsets including diarrhoea and vomiting

Please note, these symptoms may not appear immediately after contact with the affected water.

If you have any health problems that have developed after exposure to any of the lakes with health warnings, please ring National Public Health Service — Waikato on 07 838 2569

For media enquiries please contact Health NZ Media on hnzmedia@tewhatuora.govt.nz

The local Medical Officer of Health advises the public to not eat eels from Kopeopeo canal and Orini stream in Whakatāne due to elevated levels of dioxin in the eels and canal.

Dioxins

Recreational water safety — Health Information and Services (external link)

It is best to avoid swimming in rivers, streams, lakes, harbour areas and at beaches for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. There is likely to be contamination from rural and urban run-off in waterways after heavy rain.

You could get illnesses such as:

• diarrhoea
• vomiting
• skin infections
• ear infections.

Shellfish can live and grow in water that has been contaminated. They can store bacteria, virues, biotoxins or pollution that can cause illness when eaten.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) tests shellfish and seawater for toxic algae every week from popular shellfish gathering areas around New Zealand. If the shellfish are not safe to eat MPI issue public health warnings and put up signs at affected beaches.

Shellfish biotoxin alerts — Ministry for Primary Industries (external link)

Key tips for staying safe:

• do not collect shellfish from waterways known to be contaminated with bacteria, algal blooms, or pollution
• if collecting shellfish from any harbour or estuary, thoroughly cook it before eating to kill viruses and bacteria
• cooking will not destroy biotoxins or other chemicals stored in shellfish
• people who are pregnant or have immune problems should avoid eating shellfish.

For more advice on precautions to take when fishing and gathering shellfish got the MPI website.

Food safety for fishers — Ministry for Primary Industries (external link)

Date issued: 12 March 2025

Key messages

• There is currently an increase in Cryptosporidiosis in the greater Wellington region, with a number of these connected to swimming pool use.
• To prevent spread, please remind patients not to use swimming facilities (including splash pads) while symptomatic with diarrhoea and for 2 weeks after symptoms have resolved.

Information

An increase in the number of cryptosporidiosis cases has been reported in the Wellington region, with 8 cases reported in Hutt Valley. This is higher than the total of 0 to 2 cases by the same time of the year for the previous 3 years. A history of swimming pool use has been identified among some of the cases.

Please consider cryptosporidiosis among patients presenting with acute diarrhoeal illness, particularly among children with a history of swimming pool use. Cryptosporidiosis is a notifiable disease. Treatment is usually symptomatic relief only.

Please remind patients not to swim in public swimming pools or to use public park water play facilities (splash pads) for 2 weeks after being ill with diarrhoea, and to be vigilant about hand washing and preparing food when anyone in the home has diarrhoeal illness. Cryptosporidiosis can be easily passed from person to person in a household.

Related links

Cryptosporidium (external link)

Recreational water safety (external link)