Category: Health

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CYANOBACTERIAL WARNING UPDATE: Health warning issued for Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake)

Source: Waikato District Health Board

CYANOBACTERIAL WARNING UPDATE: Health warning issued for Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake) and remains in place for Lakes Arapuni, Ngā Roto, Hakanoa, Waikare, Rotokauri, Whangape and Kainui.

A new health warning has been issued today for Lake Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake) due to a significant rise in cyanobacteria biovolume to 24.46 mm3/L in cyanobacteria levels.

Lakes Arapuni, Ngā Roto, Hakanoa, Waikare, Rotokauri, Whangape and Kainui continue to have a cyanobacterial health warning in place.

Dr Richard Vipond, Te Whatu Ora Medical Officer of Health for Waikato recommends that where cyanobacteria health warnings are in place, lakes should not be used for any activity that involves skin contact with the affected water.

“Swallowing water from lakes affected by blooms should also be avoided,” said Dr Vipond.

Cyanobacteria can release toxins which can trigger asthma and hayfever symptoms, and can cause skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.

These symptoms may not appear until some time after contact with the affected water.

Scums are a particular risk because they contain a high level of toxins.  If contact with scum does occur, skin should be rinsed clean and clothing changed as soon as possible. This warning is particularly important for children.”

“If people do come into contact with the lake when warnings are in place, or any other lake where there are visible changes to water colour, they should shower and change their clothing as soon as possible afterwards, even if no symptoms are noticeable,” he said.

Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria.

Te Whatu Ora Public Health Unit for Waikato would like to be informed about health problems that develop after exposure to any of the Waikato lakes. Phone: 07 838 2569.

Up-to-date information on cyanobacterial cell counts is available from local councils, Waikato Regional Council or by visiting the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website

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Health Information and Services

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

About measles and the vaccine

We know that measles is actually really really contagious.

If one person is infected, you can actually spread it to around 15 to 18 people and it’s not a nice disease to have it can make you feel really sick and awful.

Quite often people can end up in hospital because they’re so sick and unwell from the infection.

There is no real good treatment to be honest, so the best thing that you can do is actually get vaccinated so you get your body ready to fight off the infection.

If you’re all protected, so if I’m vaccinated, every one of my family is vaccinated and someone comes to the house and they’ve got measles or mumps they actually don’t pass it on to us, because the vaccine has actually helped protect us from actually getting the measles, or if we do get it we fight off so well that we don’t spread it around we don’t give it to other people.

How does the measles vaccine work? What are the side effects?

The vaccine which protects us against measles comes in a combination it’s called the MMR.  

So measles, mumps, rubella so you actually get protected against 3 different diseases at the same time, which is great news.

MMR vaccine is supposed to stimulate your body to be able to fight off infection if it sees the disease in real-time and so that potentially means that you can have some of those side effects that occur when you are vaccinated.

Getting a temperature that you may actually get a rash afterwards for the vaccine that’s actually quite common.

Some people might find their glands actually go up after having the vaccine and some people they can have a little bit of an achy body.

For some people the symptoms may occur in the first few hours, for others it can occur up to a week or two weeks later, but actually they stay well with it, so despite having some mild side effects they actually stay very well.

What should I do if I’m not sure if I have had a measles vaccine?

So if you’re not sure if you’re vaccinated or not then just talk to your GP or GP nurse, they’ll be able to look it up on their system.

Sometimes you may have had your childhood imms book. We can have a look through there and see if you’ve had the full vaccinations because you only need 2 doses to be fully vaccinated.

But even if we’re not sure, if we can’t find the records or we think you might be partially vaccinated. It actually does you no harm to have an extra vaccination.

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Joint Briefing to the Incoming Minister for Mental Health 2023

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Summary

Following the 2023 general election, the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, and the Māori Health Authority | Te Aka Whai Ora together produced a Joint Briefing to the Incoming Minister for Mental Health.

The briefing sets out, at a high level, Coalition Government priorities, opportunities and key decisions, with a particular focus mental health and addiction in Aotearoa New Zealand and mechanisms to influence the mental health and addiction system.

Some information has been withheld, in line with the following sections of the Official Information Act 1982.

  • Section 9(2)(f)(iv) to maintain the constitutional conventions that protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers and officials.
  • Section 9(2)(g)(i) to maintain the effective conduct of public affairs through the free and frank expression of opinions by or between or to Ministers and officers and employees of any public service agency.
  • Section 9(2)(j) to enable a Minister of the Crown or any public service agency or organisation holding the information to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations.
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Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Health November 2023

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

Summary

Following the 2023 general election, the Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora, produced a Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Health, as is usual practice.

Part A of this briefing provides an overview of the current health of New Zealanders and outlines some key opportunities, issues, and challenges to improve health outcomes. It also outlines immediate work to progress the 100-day plan and coalition commitments.

Part B provides more detail on the roles and responsibilities of the Minister of Health and the Ministry of Health’s roles and functions within the health portfolio.

Some information has been withheld, in line with the following sections of the Official Information Act 1982.

  • Section 9(2)(a) to protect the privacy of individuals
  • Section 9(2)(f)(iv) to maintain the constitutional conventions that protect the confidentiality of advice tendered by Ministers and officials.
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CYANOBACTERIAL WARNING UPDATE: Health warning issued for Lakes Arapuni and Whangape

Source: Waikato District Health Board

Health warning issued for Lakes Arapuni and Whangape and remains in place for Lakes Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake), Ngā Roto, Hakanoa, Waikare, Kainui, and Rotokauri.

A precautionary health warning has been issued today for Lake Arapuni, based upon scientific observation and monitoring of the water quality, which suggests a recent rise in the concentration of cyanobacteria.

A Public Health warning has also been issued for Lake Whangape which has seen a dramatic rise in measured cyanobacteria biovolume to 150mm3/L.

Lakes Rotoroa (Hamilton Lake), Ngā Roto, Hakanoa, Waikare and Kainui continue to have a cyanobacterial health warning in place.

Dr Elizabeth Becker, Te Whatu Ora Medical Officer of Health for Waikato recommends that where Public Health warnings are in place, lakes should not be used for any activity that involves skin contact with the affected water.

“Swallowing water from lakes affected by blooms should also be avoided,” said Dr Becker.

“If people still choose to use the lakes when warnings are in place, or any other lake where there are visible changes to water colour, they should shower and change their clothing as soon as possible afterwards, even if no symptoms are noticeable,” she said.

Cyanobacteria can release toxins which can trigger asthma and hayfever symptoms, and can cause skin rashes, stomach upsets, and in some cases neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.

These symptoms may not appear until some time after contact with the affected water.

Scums are a particular risk because they contain a high level of toxins.  If contact with scum does occur, skin should be rinsed clean and clothing changed as soon as possible. This warning is particularly important for children.

Dog owners should prevent their dogs from drinking or swimming in the water, as dogs are particularly sensitive to cyanobacteria.

Te Whatu Ora Public Health Unit for Waikato would like to be informed about health problems that develop after exposure to any of the Waikato lakes. Phone Waikato Public Health Service: 07 838 2569.

Up-to-date information on cyanobacterial health warnings  is available by visiting the Land Air Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website at https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/waikato-region/

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Country’s first baby for 2024 delivered safe and well in Waikato Hospital

Source: Waikato District Health Board

Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand Waikato congratulates mum, Danielle Nowacki and dad, Connor Williams on the birth of their daughter overnight, believed to be the first baby born in the country for 2024.

Harlee Jean Patricia Williams arrived into the New Year at 12.01am weighing 3.3kgs. Both mother and daughter are doing well in Waikato Hospital and hope to be able to return to their Hamilton home soon.

Pictured are baby Harlee resting on mum, Danielle Nowacki with dad, Connor Williams at right.

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Contractor in place to build replacement mental health unit at Waikato Hospital

Source: Waikato District Health Board

Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand has appointed Naylor Love as the contractor to build the replacement Adult Acute Mental Health Inpatient Facility at Waiora Waikato Hospital.

The current Henry Rongomau Bennett Centre is no longer considered suitable. The new inpatient facility will be a more appropriate space for contemporary approaches to mental healthcare.

The replacement facility has been designed to provide a welcoming and therapeutic environment for people experiencing mental illness, in accordance with an adult acute healthcare plan that incorporates key cultural elements.

It will have eight internal courtyards, maximising the use of natural light, and space for 64 beds.

It will offer views of neighbouring trees and will be built to the Greenstar Five Star sustainability building standard, as well as the best-practice Australasian Health Facility Design Guidelines.

Construction is expected to begin in mid-2024, after the completion of enabling works, which began in mid-2023 under a preliminary agreement.

The project is expected to reach practical completion by mid-2026. The mental health facility will be built where the Renal Centre is currently sited, in two stages. Work on the second stage will start once the Renal Centre has opened at a new location on the Waiora Waikato Hospital campus, allowing the old Renal Centre to be fully demolished.

The new Renal Centre building is on schedule to enter service in early 2025.

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Future supply of new COVID-19 vaccines confirmed

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

A vaccine to combat the newer strains of COVID-19 has been approved and will be available to New Zealanders in time for winter 2024.

Today Medsafe has approved Pfizer’s application for an updated COVID-19 vaccine for the XBB.1.5 strain to be used in New Zealand says Medsafe Group Manager Chris James.

“Following a robust and efficient approval process the vaccine will be used to help reduce next year’s winter load on our hospitals”, he says. “The series of changes we see in the COVID-19 virus means we need to continually reassess and update our response to it.”

Pharmac – Te Pātaka Whaioranga has been working to secure supply of the updated vaccines in time for next winter season.

Pharmac’s Director, Pharmaceuticals Geraldine MacGibbon says it’s important to ensure we have the best available protection as we head towards the winter season. “Securing COVID-19 vaccine stock for 2024 is a high priority for Pharmac.”

“We’re working with the suppliers, Medsafe, and Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora, to ensure New Zealanders have access to the COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine in time for people to protect themselves and their whānau ahead of winter”, says MacGibbon.

“We understand people are interested in who will have access to the COVID-19 XBB.1.5 vaccine when it’s available. There are no changes to eligibility at present. If Pharmac were to consider changes that would affect people’s access, we’d consult publicly to ensure we’re incorporating feedback from the healthcare sector and the community into our decision.”

“We will share more information on our website and with the public as it is available,” concludes MacGibbon.

Harriette Carr, Deputy Director of Public Health at Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora, says the current COVID-19 BA.4.5 booster vaccines remain available and are effective in reducing the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

“People are encouraged to get a booster now if due, as we are in the midst of a current COVID-19 wave. If you are due, don’t wait until next year”, says Dr Carr.

“It is important to get a booster now to protect yourself and your loved ones, especially with Covid cases currently on the rise.

“These groups in particular are recommended to get a booster:

  • people aged 65 and older,
  • Māori and Pacific people aged 50 and older,
  • those who have a medical condition that makes them severely immunocompromised (12 years of age and older),
  • pregnant people who have not had any booster dose previously, have co-morbidities, or have no history of previous COVID-19 infection,
  • residents of aged care facilities, and
  • people who were recommended to receive a booster in April 2023 but have not yet done so.”
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Compliance Guide for Veterinary Radiation

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Health

This Guide gives practical guidance on some of the most common regulatory compliance issues that arise in dealing with radiation sources in veterinary practice and its associated ancillary services.

Following the Guide is not a radiation safety requirement. However, in most cases, following the Guide will be equivalent to demonstrating compliance with radiation safety requirements. The Guide makes references to the relevant radiation safety requirements as appropriate. 

The Guide is not intended to replace advice from a qualified expert.