NZPHR Vol 8 No 10 Oct 2001
Tuesday 7th September 2010
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Contents and Lead Article
Contents- Murine typhus in New Zealand
- VTEC/STEC incidence continues steady increase
- Decline in tuberculosis cases in 2000 mainly driven by drop in local transmission
- Legionellosis in 2000 still dominated by L. longbeachae
- Meningococcal disease update
- Surveillance and control notes
Murine typhus in New Zealand
Murine typhus, a rickettsial disease, is present in New Zealand. This conclusion is supported by clinical and serological evidence, and confirmed by the recent finding of Rickettsia typhi DNA in the white cells of a patient with a compatible illness. Since 1989, when the first case was recognised, fourteen cases have been reported from the greater Auckland region. The mean age SD (range) was 48 17 (23-83) years and there was no gender difference. All cases occurred between May and October. All but one patient lived in a rural setting, with 9 (64%) living north-west of Auckland in the Helensville/Kaukapakapa area. The rat is the usual host and the rat flea, Xenopyslla cheopis, is the usual vector for transmitting R. typhi to humans. Humans are incidental hosts. The illness presents nonspecifically with fever, headache, myalgia and rash. Early diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion and confirmation is by serology. All confirmed cases should be immediately notified to the local medical officer of health. Prevention is directed mainly towards the control of the host, in particular rats, and the flea vector.
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