Latest news with #healthoutbreak
RNZ News
19-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 19 May
Samoa's Ministry of Health Headquarters. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Dominic Godfrey Samoa's Ministry of Health has declared its whooping cough outbreak over. It said last Wednesday that this follows a consistent decline in reported case and no suspected cases in the previous four weeks. The outbreak of the disease, also known as pertussis, was declared on 28 November last year. It said that the total of suspected and confirmed cases since the declaration had reached 427. The Ministry said that while the spread of the disease is under control, people are urged not to be complacent and to check their children's immunisations are up to date. Police in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea have been investigating the deaths of two young children whose bodies were found in an abandoned car outside the city at the beginning of this month. According to police the four and five year olds were last seen alive at the beginning of March. Their remains were found in a vehicle at Gereka, just outside Port Moresby. A postmortem was conducted at Port Moresby General Hospital on 6 May to determine the cause of death. NBC reported the Police Commissioner David Manning saying the Crimes Investigation Team is working around the clock to gather evidence and identify witnesses. He also expressed grave concern over the increasing trend of child abuse in the country, condemning these as despicable acts and betrayals of trust. He has urged parents and guardians to take their responsibilities seriously and he reminded the public of the 'Lukautim Pikinini Act', which carries severe penalties for negligence and abuse. A jury trial is set for July in a federal child pornography case in the Northern Marianas. The case is against Nicolas Franklin Salas Palacios, who faces charges of possession of and access with intent to view child pornography. He has entered a plea of not guilty. The indictment includes a forfeiture notice, signaling that if convicted, the accused may be required to forfeit specific items or face a money judgment as an alternative. He remains detained at the Department of Corrections pending trial. Starlink has been installed at Rotuma Government Station in Fiji, as part of a broader project to connect 10 rural and maritime government stations across the country. Fiji's government said this technological advancement will allow civil servants to access real-time information and improve communication with headquarters, while also opening digital doors for nearby communities. The initiative is also designed to improve coordination during emergency situations. The Pacific Islands Forum secretary-general Baron Waqa is visiting New Zealand this week. He will meet New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Pacific Peoples Minister Shane Reti. Ulu o Tokelau Esera Tuisano will also make his first official visit to New Zealand, ahead of New Zealand and Tokelau celebrating a centenary of their constitutional relationship next year. Peters said regular face-to-face dialogue is crucial for underpinning New Zealand's relationships throughout the region. New Zealand is hosting the council of the University of the South Pacific on Monday. Twelve Pacific countries will be represented at the meeting. Pacific Peoples and Universities Minister Shane Reti said New Zealand's role as hosts reflects the country's steadfast commitment to advancing tertiary education through Pacific regionalism.
The Independent
11-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Four-year-old boy sent to hospital as 74 ill after petting farm trip
The parents of a four-year-old boy rushed to hospital after suffering an infection linked to a visit to a petting farm have spoken of their 'nightmare' ordeal. Public health officials are examining 74 cases of cryptosporidium linked to visits to Cowbridge Farm Shop at Marlborough Grange Farm in Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, during April. Public Health Wales said the outbreak has resulted in 16 people having to stay in hospital for at least one night. The farm has voluntarily ceased all public animal feeding activities and is cooperating with the investigation, the health watchdog added. One of the children affected was named by family as 4-year-old Michael Carpenter, from Bridgend, who had visited the petting farm with his grandparents on 11 April. The boy followed the rules, washing his hands and using a hand sanitiser after stroking some lambs before flying to Malaga with his family. Three days later, Michael's temperature rose and he suffered severe diarrhoea with the family being advised to take him to a local private hospital for tests. His father Gareth, 46, told the BBC: 'We were driving ourselves crazy. 'We were thinking, was it a bit of chicken he ate, or an ice cream his Nana gave him - she was feeling terrible about that - or was it something in the water?' It cost £719 deposit to get Michael seen - and a £4,229 bill for the three days sent to hospital - luckily covered by the family's insurance. On their return to Wales, and with Michael still recovering from the effects of the parasite, they visited their GP who took a stool sample. Public Health Wales called Michael's father the next day to say the test had shown Michael was infected with cryptosporidium and asked if the boy had been around any animals. Cryptosporidium is a parasite that can cause gastrointestinal illness, often associated with contact with animals, especially young farm animals such as calves and lambs. The boy's mother, Kate, said: 'It was an absolute nightmare.' She said the boy's grandmother 'blames herself' for taking Michael to the petting farm, but 'more information" had been given to people attending the petting sessions about the potential risks. 'It's only when something happens that you realise how serious it is,' said Gareth. 'I would hate to see another parent go through the same thing.' Public Health experts are warning those who have come into contact with infected cases to take extra care to avoid passing the infection onto others. Su Mably, Consultant in Health protection for Public Health Wales said: 'We are continuing to work with our partners to investigate this outbreak. Although cryptosporidium infection is usually mild and clears up on its own, it can cause more serious illness in young children and people with weakened immune systems. 'If you visited the farm and feel unwell, please contact your GP or call NHS 111. It is possible for this infection to be passed on from one person to another, for example if someone is caring for a family member who is unwell. It is important to protect yourself by washing your hands well, particularly before preparing food.'
