Update On Hepatitis ‘A’ Cases In Christchurch

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.

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