Outbreak of rare disease feared

Press, 16 March 1982, Page 3

Outbreak of rare disease feared

A rare disease, listeriosis, which affects pregnant women and new-born babies has been reported to the Health Department in Christchurch. Two cases of listeriosis were reported last week and the Deputy Medical Officer of Health, Dr M. A. Brieseman, fears that they could be the beginning of a big outbreak. Normally only six cases of the disease are reported each year in New Zealand. An outbreak last year saw 14 cases ' reported in Christchurch. Dr Brieseman said that a pregnant woman would only notice the disease as an attack of flu but it could cause the baby to be aborted, a stillborn child, or a child born with severe meningitis. Listeriosis could be treated if diagnosed by a special blood test. Pregnant women should see their doctor if they were in any doubt, he said. Because the disease was carried by a wide range of animals, pregnant women should avoid contact with animals, he said. “If contact is necessary, strict hygiene should be observed.”