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TB outbreak in Kawhia causes concern

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Sun, 21 Jan 2018, 12:38PM
Up to six people in Kawhia have contracted TB. The Waikato DHB has confirmed five cases so far. (Photo \ File)
Up to six people in Kawhia have contracted TB. The Waikato DHB has confirmed five cases so far. (Photo \ File)

TB outbreak in Kawhia causes concern

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Sun, 21 Jan 2018, 12:38PM

Up to six people have contracted tuberculosis in the small seaside town of Kawhia.

The issue has riled locals after Waikato District Health Board officials assured residents the disease had been contained in a meeting in November, Fairfax reported today.

Waikato DHB medical officer of health Dr Richard Hoskins visited the town in November about TB, a potentially deadly disease which usually attacks the lungs, advising locals how to protect themselves.

At the time of the meeting, there were two known cases of tuberculosis and one possible.

All have now been treated and are not considered infectious.

However, Kawhia grandfather Richard Torpey believes the DHB didn't do enough to protect the rest of the community, allowing the disease to spread during the busy festive season.

Of the new cases that emerged in December, three were infected by one of the earlier carriers. Now others are being contacted to be tested, including four members of Torpey's family, two of whom are children.

The first public acknowledgement about TB was in September 2017.

Hoskins had written to his grandchild's daycare.

The letter said there were rumours that children had been exposed to TB at the Kawhia Daycare Centre. Hoskins denied the rumours in his letter.

Torpey said the Waikato DHB told locals they were safe, but said the false sense of security meant many had let their guard down.

"They said that there was nothing for us to worry about, but people have continued to get sick from this disease," Torpey told Fairfax.

"We know 10 other people who are going for testing next week and four of them are my family: my son, his partner and my two grandsons. So I'm a little annoyed that this man [Hoskins] can stand there and say there is nothing to worry about."

Hoskins said once those three were diagnosed, the hospital began tracking anyone who had been in close contact with them. Of the three, only one was considered infectious.

In terms of the daycare centre, Hoskins said that there was no danger to the children or adults who were at the centre.

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