Latest news with #hospitalisations
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Health researchers, MPI clash as study finds campylobacter cases have surged
Lead author, University of Otago professor Michael Baker, says the number of hospitalisations caused by contaminated chicken meat is a very consequential health problem. Photo: Supplied Too many people are still ending up sick and in hospital from contaminated fresh chicken meat, public health professionals say. New analysis released by the Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC) on Thursday shows hospitalisation rates for campylobacter infection have increased by almost 70 percent in 17 years. The study found contaminated fresh chicken meat remained the dominant source, causing an estimated 77 percent of infections. But the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has disputed the figures and is accusing the researchers of scaremongering. The PHCC study noted that, in 2007, regulatory measures were introduced to reduce contamination levels in fresh chicken meat tested in processing plants. Rates of both hospitalisation and notification halved in just a few months as a result. But since 2008, contaminated chicken in New Zealand caused more than 600,000 symptomatic illnesses, over 9000 hospitalisations, at least 60 deaths and around $1.4 billion in economic costs. Lead author, University of Otago professor Michael Baker, said that in 2023, the year with the most recent data, there were nearly a thousand hospitalisations. "By any means this is a very consequential health problem and we feel it needs a much more vigorous response." Government agencies were "too complacent" about the increasing rates of campylobacter infection caused by contaminated chicken, he added. "If you saw a 70 percent rise in our most common foodborne disease surely you'd be putting a lot of effort into investigating that to figure out what's going on, and I'm not aware of any effort going into that. One of the major problems that we're seeing is our agencies have become very complacent about this infection." The government should consider a formal inquiry into this serious, long-term regulatory failure, Baker said. "The large Havelock North waterborne outbreak of campylobacter infection [in 2016] resulted in an exhaustive inquiry and a complete reorganisation of the drinking water supply sector. That common source outbreak caused about 7570 cases. By comparison, the 'common source' epidemic caused by contaminated chicken meat results in the equivalent of a Havelock North-sized outbreak every three months in NZ, or 80 such outbreaks since 2008." But Food Safety's deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle disagreed with the PHCC's analysis, arguing that between 2006 and 2020 reported rates of foodborne campylobacter infections had halved. These figures were based on public notifications of infections provided by the health system, he said. "In 2020 New Zealand Food Safety set the target of reducing the rate by a further 20 percent. This milestone was reached at the end of 2024, when rates of foodborne campylobacter infections acquired in New Zealand fell to 70 cases per 100,000. The drop in infection was thanks to a "concerted effort over many years" from government, scientists and industry throughout the supply chain, he said. "New Zealand has made considerable reductions in campylobacter infections. We keep an open mind about changes that can further reduce campylobacteria infection, which is a serious foodborne illness, but will not consider changes that are not founded on good evidence." Arbuckle accepted more people were ending up in hospital with campylobacter but says that was partly because they had put off going to the GP and got sicker, he said. He also agreed that campylobacteriosis was "the most common, significant foodborne illness in New Zealand". But he said data suggested "a continued downward reduction due to the sustained efforts between industry, health authorities, the regulator and other parts of the sector such as retail". "The prevalence [of campylobacteriosis] is reducing, it's not where people would like it to be, but some of the content in this report is simply erroneous and alarmist, particularly the comments about deaths attributed - the simple fact is that ... since 2007 we've had three recorded cases of death where campylobacteriosis was the principle single contributing factor, not 60 as he [Baker] suggests. "If New Zealand was experiencing the level of deaths directly attributable to campylobacteriosis at the numbers that the authors suggest, there would be an outcry." But Baker said that deaths from campylobacter infection were generally poorly diagnosed and recorded. By looking at hospital discharge data, however, the researchers were able to get an indication of deaths in hospital with 60 reported deaths for patients with a discharge diagnosis of campylobacter infection as the principal or additional diagnosis over the 14-year period from 2008 to 2021, an average of 4.3 per year. An additional estimated 12 deaths from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) from this source took the total to 68 in the 17-year period, or four per year. In a statement, Poultry Industry Association executive director Michael Brooks said he agreed the paper was "unnecessarily alarmist". "The poultry industry works closely with NZ Food Safety and met their set targets to further reduce campylobacter by 20% by 2024," he said. "We have also met the standards of the National Microbial Database. NZ Food Safety assesses that Michael Baker's paper has significant limitations and relies on several incorrect assumptions and unsupported estimates to reach its conclusions." The study's co-author, University of Otago Professor Nick Wilson defended their research on Morning Report , saying hospitalisation data is the most reliable source to understand what's happening with this "epidemic". "They're [MPI] focusing on the wrong data. You need to take a broad comprehensive picture that includes looking at the hospitalisations and deaths. Hospitalisations are far more reliable then the data sources that they're focusing on," he said. "They're just not taking a proper health perspective. You'd expect that a watchdog that's meant to be protecting public health and protecting food safety, it [MPI] just doesn't have a health focus." MPI looks like they are protecting their own reputation, Prof Wilson said. "This is a health problem... You need health experts. It's out of their ballpark." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
6 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
MPI accuses researchers of scaremongering over campylobacter hospitalisations, deaths
The Public Health Communication Centre says hospitalisations caused by contaminated chicken meat have increased by almost 70 percent in 17 years. Lead author, University of Otago professor Michael Baker, says the number of hospitalisations caused by contaminated chicken meat is a very consequential health problem. Photo: Supplied Too many people are still ending up sick and in hospital from contaminated fresh chicken meat, public health professionals say. New analysis released by the Public Health Communication Centre (PHCC) on Thursday shows hospitalisation rates for campylobacter infection have increased by almost 70 percent in 17 years. The study found contaminated fresh chicken meat remained the dominant source, causing an estimated 77 percent of infections. But the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has disputed the figures and is accusing the researchers of scaremongering. The PHCC study noted that, in 2007, regulatory measures were introduced to reduce contamination levels in fresh chicken meat tested in processing plants. Rates of both hospitalisation and notification halved in just a few months as a result. But since 2008, contaminated chicken in New Zealand caused more than 600,000 symptomatic illnesses, over 9000 hospitalisations, at least 60 deaths and around $1.4 billion in economic costs. Lead author, University of Otago professor Michael Baker, said that in 2023, the year with the most recent data, there were nearly a thousand hospitalisations. "By any means this is a very consequential health problem and we feel it needs a much more vigorous response." Government agencies were "too complacent" about the increasing rates of campylobacter infection caused by contaminated chicken, he added. "If you saw a 70 percent rise in our most common foodborne disease surely you'd be putting a lot of effort into investigating that to figure out what's going on, and I'm not aware of any effort going into that. One of the major problems that we're seeing is our agencies have become very complacent about this infection." The government should consider a formal inquiry into this serious, long-term regulatory failure, Baker said. "The large Havelock North waterborne outbreak of campylobacter infection [in 2016] resulted in an exhaustive inquiry and a complete reorganisation of the drinking water supply sector. That common source outbreak caused about 7570 cases. By comparison, the 'common source' epidemic caused by contaminated chicken meat results in the equivalent of a Havelock North-sized outbreak every three months in NZ, or 80 such outbreaks since 2008." But Food Safety's deputy director-general Vincent Arbuckle disagreed with the PHCC's analysis, arguing that between 2006 and 2020 reported rates of foodborne campylobacter infections had halved. These figures were based on public notifications of infections provided by the health system, he said. "In 2020 New Zealand Food Safety set the target of reducing the rate by a further 20 percent. This milestone was reached at the end of 2024, when rates of foodborne campylobacter infections acquired in New Zealand fell to 70 cases per 100,000. The drop in infection was thanks to a "concerted effort over many years" from government, scientists and industry throughout the supply chain, he said. "New Zealand has made considerable reductions in campylobacter infections. We keep an open mind about changes that can further reduce campylobacteria infection, which is a serious foodborne illness, but will not consider changes that are not founded on good evidence." Arbuckle accepted more people were ending up in hospital with campylobacter but says that was partly because they had put off going to the GP and got sicker, he said. He also agreed that campylobacteriosis was "the most common, significant foodborne illness in New Zealand". But he said data suggested "a continued downward reduction due to the sustained efforts between industry, health authorities, the regulator and other parts of the sector such as retail". "The prevalence [of campylobacteriosis] is reducing, it's not where people would like it to be, but some of the content in this report is simply erroneous and alarmist, particularly the comments about deaths attributed - the simple fact is that ... since 2007 we've had three recorded cases of death where campylobacteriosis was the principle single contributing factor, not 60 as he [Baker] suggests. "If New Zealand was experiencing the level of deaths directly attributable to campylobacteriosis at the numbers that the authors suggest, there would be an outcry." But Baker said that deaths from campylobacter infection were generally poorly diagnosed and recorded. By looking at hospital discharge data, however, the researchers were able to get an indication of deaths in hospital with 60 reported deaths for patients with a discharge diagnosis of campylobacter infection as the principal or additional diagnosis over the 14-year period from 2008 to 2021, an average of 4.3 per year. An additional estimated 12 deaths from Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) from this source took the total to 68 in the 17-year period, or four per year. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Medscape
23-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Infections Affect Over Half of EU Long-Term Care Residents
TOPLINE: In a 12-month longitudinal analysis of long-term care facility residents across European countries, 57% experienced at least one healthcare-associated infection (HAI), with respiratory tract and urinary tract infections being the most common and leading to significant hospitalisations and deaths. METHODOLOGY: Researchers conducted a longitudinal cohort study across nine European countries to examine the incidence of HAIs and their associated hospitalisations and mortality in residents of long-term care facilities. They analysed 3029 residents (mean age, 80.9 years; 68% women) who stayed in their facilities, including general nursing homes, residential homes, and mixed facilities, throughout the 12-month study period. Data were collected via standardised questionnaires covering facility characteristics, resident demographics, and details about HAIs; infections acquired within the facility or during temporary discharge were included. The primary outcome was the incidence of HAIs; secondary outcomes included HAI-related hospitalisations (occurring between the onset and resolution) and HAI-associated deaths. TAKEAWAY: Overall, 57% of the residents experienced at least one HAI during follow-up, with an incidence rate of 1.8 (95% CI, 0.9-3.3) per 1000 resident days. Respiratory tract infections were the most common HAIs (28.9%; 95% CI, 27.3-30.5), followed by urinary tract infections (18.7%; 95% CI, 17.2-20.3) and COVID-19 (17.6%; 95% CI, 16.5-18.8). The incidence of HAI-related hospitalisations was 0.09 (95% CI, 0.05-0.21) per 1000 resident days; the highest incidence was observed for respiratory tract infections, followed by urinary tract infections and COVID-19. Overall, 4.5% of HAIs were fatal, and respiratory tract infections were the most common cause, accounting for 2.3% of deaths. IN PRACTICE: "Nevertheless, these data shed important light on a highly relevant topic within a health-care setting that is often neglected," the authors of a commentary wrote. "There is a need for ongoing surveillance of infections, work to validate surveillance definitions, and more epidemiological data (eg, pathogen-specific burden, contribution of outbreak vs sporadic infections, and added burden of antimicrobial resistance)," they added. SOURCE: This study was led by Enrico Ricchizzi, PhD, Settore Innovazione nei Servizi Sanitari e Sociali, Regione Emilia-Romagna, Bologna, Italy. It was published online on June 16, 2025, in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by variability in implementation of the survey across participating facilities and the biased selection of long-term care facilities. The diverse types of facilities included introduced heterogeneity. Moreover, this study did not assess the effect of infection prevention measures or available local resources at each facility. DISCLOSURES: This study was supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The authors declared having no competing interests. This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Sharp jump in Covid-19, respiratory infections
Photo: 123rf Environmental Science and Research (ESR) data shows flu and Covid infections are on the rise, with a sharp jump in hospitalisations for severe respiratory infections across Auckland in the past week. Meanwhile, GPs warn they are already under pressure. After phoning her GP clinic several times last week trying to get an urgent appointment, one desperate Lower Hutt resident decided to go to Lower Hutt After-Hours Medical Centre on Friday. "Google suggested it was busiest from when it opened 5.30pm to 7pm, so I went down at 7pm, and there was a sign up saying they weren't taking any more patients today." Her post on a community Facebook page attracted more than 100 comments, including from many patients who had had the same experience. She returned the next morning as soon as it opened at 8am, and finally got treatment. "The staff do the best they can, and it's not anything to do with the people doing their job. There are just not enough people to go around." Lower Hutt After-Hours Medical Centre was the only walk-in clinic for a population of more than 100,000 people. Manager Mark O'Connor said they treated about 45 patients a night on average, but there were times they had to turn people away. "Especially coming into this time of year with winter, we're just overloaded. We can have 20 or 30 people queuing up at the door at 5.30pm and we'll have three, even four, doctors on at times. But we just can't see everyone." ESR data showed hospitalisations for severe respiratory infections jumped more than 50 percent in the week to 1 June, although the rate remained about the same as last year. Calls to Healthline for influenza-like-illnesses increased, but were lower than at the same time last year. There were five reported outbreaks of respiratory illness: three in aged-care facilities in Nelson-Marlborough, Capital and Coast and Bay of Plenty, and two in early childhood centres, both in the Wellington region. O'Connor said seasonal pressure was compounded by the GP shortage. "Because of some patients not being able to get into their doctor during the day, we're seeing a lot more than just the usual winter type thing. We're seeing a lot more mental health and more other injuries." The clinic was moving to larger premises at the end of next month, and had funding to extend its hours from the end of the year. "The next step is to find the staff." Professor Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard. Photo: supplied Health NZ national chief medical officer Professor Dame Helen Stokes-Lampard said patients who could not get in to see their GPs - or could not enrol with a GP at all - often resorted to hospital emergency departments (EDs) . "We know there is a direct correlation between pressure on EDs and primary care services that are struggling. But EDs are not set up in the same way - it's not there to deal with respiratory illnesses, the more basic but high-volume illnesses that general practice is so well set up for, so that is a challenge." Health NZ was prepared for the inevitable winter surge - lining up extra staff, "optimising" beds and running vaccination campaigns, she said. More than 1 million New Zealanders have already had flu vaccinations this year, while only about quarter of a million are up-to-date with Covid-19 boosters. "That's similar to last year, we would really love it to be higher. The challenge is there are some people who don't have confidence in vaccination or find it difficult to access healthcare. And for those people we are really trying to do more in terms of outreach, working with community providers." percent20Region&log_or_linear=linear.=eighteenMonthsButton ESR wastewater testing showed Covid infections were on the rise again - up 75 percent in a week (between 18 and 25 May), well ahead of reported cases. South Auckland GP Allan Moffitt told First Up current variants were "not as virulent", but Covid was still dangerous for people with low immunity - and flu could also be deadly . "I've actually had several patients end up in hospital with influenza, so it's not a nice bug to have - it's not just the common cold." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Flu and COVID infections rising, GPs already under pressure
ESR data shows flu and COVID infections are on the rise, with a sharp jump in hospitalisations for severe respiratory infections across Auckland in a week. As Ruth Hill reports, GPs warn they're already under pressure.
