Good afternoon – here’s our update for Thursday 18 August. Clearly it’s been a busy day for both the DHB and the District Council. Here’s the latest information.
By the numbers
As of today’s briefing, the DHB had 87 confirmed notifications, and 250 probables for a total of 337.
Hospitalisations are currently sitting at 16 in general wards, and one patient remaining in ICU. There have only been three recent presentations at ED, with 138 to GPs. These numbers continue to move downwards, with five calls to St John and five reports in Aged Residential Care facilities.
Hawke’s Bay District Health Board CEO Kevin Snee told an afternoon media conference that the trend was encouraging, but meant ongoing vigilance in terms of preventing a secondary person to person outbreak. Following the correct advice on handwashing and hygiene was crucial.
Joined by Dr David Sinclair, Medical Officer of Health (Auckland), Dr Snee also told the conference that the current boil water notice for Havelock North water would continue alongside chlorination until it was established whether any additional bugs such as cryptosporidium or giardia were present.
In a significant development earlier on Thursday, Hastings District Council (HDC) reported an e-coli indicator had been found in one of the nine water tankers used to supply drinking water to Havelock North residents.
The suspect tanker was parked in the Havelock North High School car park. Residents who took water from this site and still have it in containers have been asked by the HDC to dump it.
The council says water from the other tankers has been tested and is clear, however the water in all the tankers is now being chlorinated.
The council believes the cause is likely to be the tanker, however as a “super precautionary approach” the water supplies for Hastings and Flaxmere are now being chlorinated. The daily tests for those supplies have been clear.
While no boil water notice has been issued for Hastings, as a precautionary approach mayor Lawrence Yule said people may want to boil any drinking water or use bottled water while the chlorine works its way through the system.
Support for DHB
Speaking at the DHB media conference on Thursday afternoon, Dr David Sinclair, Medical Officer of Health (Auckland) spoke in support of the DHB actions. Dr Sinclair said he had observed a professional approach by staff in managing an unprecedented situation.
Ngahiwi Tomoana, Hawke’s Bay District Health Board’s acting chair, has joined that support, saying the board has met with CEO Dr Kevin Snee and been updated on the health response to the current outbreak.
Mr Tomoana said “We are confident in the DHB response to this significant event. We were given a comprehensive overview of the work and effort going in across the whole Hawke’s Bay health sector who are working with the many sick people in our community. We also have a greater appreciation of the way the sector has worked together at this difficult time.
“The Board extends its thanks to all DHB staff, health service managers, general practice teams, district nurses and public health staff, pharmacists and those working in aged residential care for their efforts helping those affected by the outbreak.
“It’s at times like this that you appreciate how dedicated, hard working and committed our teams across the Hawke’s Bay health sector are. We thank you all for the great work you are doing.”
Ongoing health advice and school status
Based on best advice and the ability for young children to adhere to the required hygiene standards, a decision was made that Havelock North Primary, Te Mata Primary, Lucknow Primary, Havelock North Intermediate and Hereworth School will remain closed until Monday 22nd August 2016.
Given the older age of students, Havelock North High School, Woodford and Iona returned today (Thursday).
When schools do reopen they need to:
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Ensure that students need to have been free of symptoms (diarrhoea) for 2 complete days (48 hours) before returning to school
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Ensure that any students who show any sign of diarrhoea or vomiting or abdominal pain or nausea are isolated until they can be sent home.
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Ensure they have adequate hand hygiene procedures. This includes:
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Training for and supervision of hand hygiene for children after using the toilet and during class. Reinforce messages of washing with (clean / chlorinated) water and soap with thorough hand drying on disposable (paper) towels followed by use of hand sanitiser (alcohol-based).
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More frequent cleaning of toilets/bathrooms and classroom surfaces during the day (not just after school). This needs to include sanitising with a chlorine bleach solution.
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Readily accessible supplies of hand sanitiser.
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Ensure they have a reliable and safe drinking water supply (this currently includes following the Boil Water notice). This can be achieved by boiling and then cooling drinking water or using a safe source such as tankered water (which is being provided for schools) or bottled water.
Schools need to be aware that symptoms can recur several days after the diarrhoea settles.
The main risk for the next week or so is secondary cases with spread from people who have been ill. Campylobacter can’t be spread through the air but it can be spread if you swallow the bacteria. This may be from contaminated water and food, or from contact with infected people, so hand washing is extremely important.
The Ministry of Health has useful links here: http://www.health.govt.nz/
People can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice 24/7 from a trained registered nurse.
For information on the water supply contact Hastings District Council call 06 871 5000.
General messages to parents
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Recognise the strain families have been under with sick children and children who have been off school this week even though they are well.
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Very important that children don’t return to school until they have been free of symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting for 2 clear days (48 hours). This means if they last had any symptoms on Wednesday Thursday the child should not return to school until Monday.
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Children who have had symptoms should not go to a swimming pool for at least 2 weeks after symptoms have gone.
Pictured: Dr David Sinclair, Dr Kevin Snee and water expert Peter Wood at today's media conference.
