Western Pac Surveill Response J
July 2012
Introduction: This report describes a 2011 seasonal influenza B outbreak in a metropolitan primary school in Australia with 179 students.
Methods: Epidemiological, microbiological and environmental investigations were undertaken. A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a questionnaire that included demographic data, details of illness, chronic health conditions and vaccination status.
Background: Trends in age specific and serotype specific incidence rates for invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) were examined in South Australia 4 years before and 5 years after the commencement of the Australian universal childhood 7 valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (7vPCV) program.
Methods: IPD cases were identified by routine enhanced surveillance. IPD serotypes were grouped according to those covered by the 7vPCV, the six serotypes specific to the 13 valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13vPCV), the 11 serotypes specific to the 23 valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (23vPPV), as well as non-13vPCV and non-23vPPV groups.
BMC Public Health
January 2012
Background: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) are an important cause of gastroenteritis in Australia and worldwide and can also result in serious sequelae such as haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). In this paper we describe the epidemiology of STEC in Australia using the latest available data.
Methods: National and state notifications data, as well as data on serotypes, hospitalizations, mortality and outbreaks were examined.
On 30 April 2009, the Communicable Disease Control Branch (CDCB) South Australia was notified of a Salmonella infection in a person who attended a wedding reception on 25 April 2009. Several other attendees reported becoming unwell with a similar gastrointestinal illness. The CDCB commenced an investigation to: characterise the outbreak in terms of person, place and time; identify probable source or sources; and implement control measures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Food Microbiol
April 2011
Varieties of Salmonella enterica are the second most commonly notified causes of gastroenteritis in Australia. Outbreaks of Salmonella infection are commonly linked to food, particularly foods containing chicken meat and eggs. A number of European countries have introduced interventions based on Salmonella surveillance systems in the food industry and these have led to subsequent decreases in notification rates in humans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn South Australia serotyping and phage typing are employed for routine Salmonella surveillance. Molecular techniques such as Multiple-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) are increasingly utilized to aid outbreak investigations. During 2007 three Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium outbreaks involving phage types DT9, DT29, and DT44 were investigated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFoodborne Pathog Dis
January 2011
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections are an important cause of foodborne disease in Australia. Three percent to 7% of sporadic patients develop hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) and 40% of patients with HUS develop chronic complications. To examine costs associated with illness, we interviewed patients notified to the South Australian Department of Health with a structured questionnaire regarding severity of illness, medical treatment, time lost from work, hospitalization, and other costs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAbstract Food- or waterborne diseases in long-term care facilities (LTCF) can result in serious outcomes, including deaths, and they are potentially preventable. We analyzed data collected by OzFoodNet on food- and waterborne disease outbreaks occurring in LTCF in Australia from 2001 to 2008. We compared outbreaks by the number of persons affected, etiology, and implicated vehicle.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important cause of foodborne illness. In Australia, risk factors for STEC infection have not been examined at a national level.
Methods: We conducted a case-control study in 6 Australian jurisdictions from 2003 through 2007.
To estimate multipliers linking surveillance of salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections to community incidence, we used data from a gastroenteritis survey and other sources. Multipliers for severe (bloody stool/long duration) and milder cases were estimated from the component probabilities of doctor visit, stool test, sensitivity of laboratory test, and reporting to surveillance system. Pathogens were classified by the same severity criteria and appropriate multipliers applied.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To describe the influenza-related morbidity and mortality in healthy children aged under 5 years in South Australia, in order to further understand the potential role of influenza vaccination.
Design And Setting: We undertook a descriptive analysis of SA hospital separations data and Australian Bureau of Statistics death data for children aged under 5 years admitted to hospital for influenza. All diagnoses related to an influenza admission were examined to determine whether children were at risk of complications from influenza, according to the criteria of the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Commun Dis Intell Q Rep
December 2006
All Australian States and Territories have low rates (< or = 0.32 cases per 100,000 population) of notification for Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), except for South Australia where the rates are ten-fold higher at 2.58 cases per 100,000 population.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCommun Dis Intell Q Rep
October 2003
Campylobacter infection is one of the most commonly reported foodborne diseases in Australia however, reported Campylobacter outbreaks are rare. This report describes such an outbreak among delegates attending a 10 day international academic meeting in South Australia during May 2001. A retrospective cohort study of the 29 delegates who attended the conference was conducted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHealth Expect
December 2002
Objective: To examine the need for, use of and satisfaction with information and support following primary treatment of breast cancer.
Design: Cross-sectional survey.
Participants: Cohort of 266 surviving women diagnosed with breast cancer over a 25-month period at a tertiary hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
Commun Dis Intell Q Rep
November 2002
In 2000, the OzFoodNet network was established to enhance surveillance of foodborne diseases across Australia. OzFoodNet consists of 7 sites and covers 68 per cent of Australia's population. During 2001, sites reported 15,815 cases of campylobacteriosis, 6,607 cases of salmonellosis, 326 cases of shigellosis, 71 cases of yersiniosis, 61 cases of listeriosis, 47 cases of shiga-toxin producing E.
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