The Ministry of Health was cited as saying that an increase in stomach bugs should serve as a reminder for good hygiene and food handling.
So far this year 45 cases of serious e-coli infection have been reported, more than twice the number from the same period last year .
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Alison Roberts was cited as saying there had been a general increase nationally in both bacterial and viral gastro-intestinal illness, and that so far this year there had been six outbreaks of norovirus with a total of 79 notified cases and 221 other notifications of unidentified viral infections.
Dr Roberts said the increase in vero-toxigenic e-coli (VTEC) served as a reminder of the need for good hygiene and safe food handling practices.
New Zealand Food Safety Authority’s principal adviser for public health Donald Campbell reiterated the message, saying people needed to remember to wash and dry their hands after going [...]
MORE:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/foodsafety/news/fsnews.cfm?newsid=24821
- U.S. prods Israel on settlements
Vice President Joe Biden prodded Israel on Tuesday to halt the expansion of its settlements on the West Bank, a move he called a necessary step toward...
- U.S. tries to restart N. Korea nuclear talks
The United States is launching a diplomatic effort to get North Korean nuclear talks back on the rails.
U.S. prods Israel on settlementsVice P...
- U.N., U.S. call for end to Sri Lanka fighting
President Obama on Wednesday urged Sri Lanka to halt “indiscriminate” shelling of civilians trapped with the remnants of the country’...
- Obama reverses course on detainee photos
The Defense Department is set to release hundreds of photographs showing alleged abuse of prisoners in detention facilities in Afghanistan and Iraq.
...
- NEW ZEALAND: Warmer weather likely to see rise in foodborne illnesses – (New Zealand Food Safety Authority)
Rates of Campylobacter illness have fallen by more than 50% since the beginning of the year but, with warmer weather approaching, the New Zealand Food...
- NZ: Closer food ties with CHINA worth the risk, says Key – (NZPA)
BEIJING — China’s desire for New Zealand to help sort out its food safety crisis is a commercial risk well worth taking, Prime Minister Jo...
- Alleged human smuggling boat sinks off U.S.
At least 10 people were killed, and an unknown number remained missing Wednesday, after a boat authorities believe was used for human smuggling capsiz...
- NEW ZEALAND: Food firm cleaning up act after nightshade scare, says watchdog – (NZPA)
Food company Talley’s is tightening its processes after nightshade berries were discovered among packets of frozen vegetables, the New Zealand F...
- NEW ZEALAND: Thousands in Hep A scare – (New Zealand Herald)
A Korean waitress at Queenstown’s Copthorne Hotel may have exposed thousands of guests to hepatitis A.
Public Health South medical officer of he...
- NEW ZEALAND: Canterbury records high number of infectious diseases – (Radio New Zealand)
Health authorities were cited as saying an unusually high number of infectious diseases have been recorded in Canterbury over the past two months, and...
- NEW ZEALAND: Doubtful Sound victims released – (NZPA)
Ten people airlifted to Te Anau medical centre after being taken ill with suspected food poisoning on a boat trip in Doubtful Sound on Sunday have bee...
- Pakistan quake toll likely to rise over 300
The death toll from the earthquake in southwestern Pakistan will likely rise to more than 300, local officials say.
MORE: http://rss.cnn.co...
- OECD predicts sharp rise in unemployment
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development on Tuesday predicted a sharp rise in unemployment in its member countries over the next two ...
- NEW ZEALAND: Beekeeper charged over honey poisoning – (NZPA)
A beekeeper has been charged with selling food unfit for human consumption after his toxic honey allegedly caused convulsions and violent seizures.
Wh...
- NEW ZEALAND: Milk claims unsubstantiated: authorities – (The Age)
A book which claims most cow’s milk contains a protein linked to various diseases including schizophrenia and diabetes has been debunked by New ...
- Brown: G-20 will rise to challenge
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown (right) said Monday he believed world leaders would “rise to the challenge” at this week’s G-20 ...
- MINNESOTA: Olmsted, Mower health officials see rise in foodborne illness – (Post-Bulletin)
A widespread outbreak of illness that causes vomiting, body aches and diarrhea has hit southeastern Minnesota.
“There is something definitely go...
- BARFBLOG: Food safety extension in New Zealand in Kansas – (barfblog)
She had Amy and me to her house in New Zealand. She ran the 5K race at the Ohio State Fair. And now shes coming to rock Manhattan (Kansas).
Philippa...
- NEW ZEALAND: ‘Bad luck’ behind listeria outbreak, says undersiege company – (NZPA)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10494713
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/story.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10494817
...
- New Zealand rocked by huge quake
Buildings collapsed, power lines knocked out and gas pipes ruptured when a powerful earthquake hit the northeastern coast of New Zealand late Thursda...
