Recent outbreaks of measles and campylobacter in the North Island are timely reminders of the need for the vital services that RPH provides in the fight against infectious diseases.
The organisation is based at Hutt Hospital and works across the Wellington region to make our community a healthier, safer place to live.
Dr Annette Nesdale, Medical Officer of Health explains what happens when there is a case of a notifiable disease like measles in the community.
“Part of our job is following up people who may be infected during outbreaks of notifiable diseases and we use an electronic patient management system as an invaluable tool for this. The system has the ability to link patient records with information about flights, GP surgeries, public places and other things that can help in limiting potential outbreaks.”
The system was put to the test recently to help follow up two people who were infected with measles while overseas. RPH staff also travel out of the Wellington region if needed to assist other public health units in managing outbreaks. When the recent campylobacter outbreak affected over 4000 Hawke’s Bay residents, several Wellington RPH staff members travelled to the area to lend a hand. Other RPH projects that you may be familiar with in the Hutt Valley include the well supported Fruit and Vege Coop, with around 1200 Hutt Valley families now signed up, Well Homes; Hutt Valley Youth Survey reports; and Water in Schools.
