Publications by authors named "Julianna Lees"
Post-pandemic increase in invasive group A strep infections in New Zealand.
J Infect Public Health
November 2024
Article Synopsis
- Aotearoa New Zealand has seen a rise in invasive group A streptococcal (iGAS) infections since October 2022, especially among children and marginalized communities like Māori and Pacific peoples.
- The study analyzed national surveillance data from 2017 to 2023, finding that iGAS infections decreased during COVID-19 restrictions and surged once those restrictions were lifted, showing a moderate correlation with acute respiratory infections.
- The trends in New Zealand reflect a similar global increase in iGAS, highlighting the need for improved surveillance and response strategies as iGAS will become notifiable in late 2024.
This report details the investigation of oncology and haematology patients, as well as cancer centre staff, friends and family who were exposed to an oncology patient with reactivated pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in a New Zealand cancer centre. A total of 46 patients, seven staff members and 14 family and friends were identified as being exposed to the index case of TB (Mr K). These people were screened for TB infection by the use of a symptom questionnaire, Qiagen QuantiFeron (QFT)® Gold Plus test and, if potentially immunocompromised, a chest x-ray (CXR).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Anecdotal reports indicate a decreasing number of patients presenting for assessment, and in particular a reduction in the number of patients requiring cataract surgery in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). Furthermore, research and routine surveillance is uncommon.
Aim: To analyse and describe the records of eye health outreach clinics from a single provider in seven Pacific Islands.