Notifiable Diseases
The Health Act 1956 lists certain infectious diseases that must be notified to the Medical Officer of Health who oversees public health in Kaikōura. This allows authorities to watch for outbreaks and trends. The list includes diseases such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.
If you are diagnosed with a notifiable food poisoning infection, a health officer will contact you for an interview to try to establish the source of your infection and to help you prevent further spread of the disease.
If you have any food left that you think is the source of your illness, keep it in a sealed container in the fridge as it may be needed for testing to confirm your suspicions.
You may have to take time off from school or work until your symptoms pass and/or further faecal samples return clear tests. You will need to take time off work if you work in: the food industry, hospitals, custodial institutions, childcare centres.
