Hugs and kisses don't spread typhoid, and people shouldn't avoid church because they're worried about catching the disease.

That's the message from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service following the city's typhoid outbreak.

READ MORE: Health authorities adamant Auckland typhoid outbreak localised

It says the outbreak is largely contained, but typhoid could spread through food or drink contaminated by someone who has the illness or carries the disease.

Jerome Mika, the spokesman for the family of the first person to die from the disease, says their congregation wants more information.

"We are trying to organise a meeting so we can kind of get people tested, and getting them together so we can give some information"

So far, only one person has died from the disease, but three people have been hospitalised in addition to 14 others being diagnosed, and three more may have it.