Two further lakes now have health warnings As anticipated, testing late last month has confirmed that cyanobacterial cell counts have risen in Lakes Hakanoa and Whangape. As of this month, all the lakes which are... read more

Even though we feel like winter will never come, putting a reminder in your diary to make your seasonal influenza vaccination appointment is the recommendation from Waikato District Health Board medical off... read more

Shellfish toxins remain along the Bay of Plenty coastline Ongoing weekly test results confirm that people should continue to avoid collecting or eating shellfish from a large area along the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty coastline. The area includes the ... read more

Eleven Thames Hospital staff, six inpatients and two relatives are now ill with diarrhoea and vomiting. The cases - seven more than yesterday - are highly contagious and are in isolation. The hospital is operating normally although act... read more

Thames Hospital has a number of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting and asks GPs and rest homes to manage patients within the community unless they are so ill they urgently need hospitalisation. The cases are highly contagious. ... read more

Fresh fruit and veg still popular at the right price A healthy food initiative that originated in the northern King Country resulted in thousands of families eating more fresh fruit and vegetables and brought extra money into local businesses. Waikato D... read more

Two further Waikato lakes now have health warnings As anticipated, testing late last month has confirmed that cyanobacterial cell counts have risen in Lakes Kainui and Ngaroto.   As of this month, Lakes Waahi, Waikare, Kainui and Ngaroto... read more

Waikato District Health Board's newly employed immunisation coordinator impressed delegates at the National Paediatric Association conference in Hamilton last week with immunisation figures that speak for them... read more

Waikato shallow lakes cyanobacterial warning update Health warnings now in place for Lakes Waikare and Waahi Recent cyanobacterial testing carried out on the six Waikato monitored lakes have started to show rises in cyanobacterial cell counts. This was... read more

A dog that recently died after visiting Coromandel’s Tapu Beach has tested positive for Tetrodotoxin (TTX) - the same toxin found in dogs and sea slugs recently on Auckland beaches. Thames Coromandel District Council s... read more

Waikato shallow lakes cyanobacterial update Health warning in place only for Lake Waikare The most recent cyanobacterial testing carried out on the six monitored lakes have shown generally low cell counts. As at the end of August, the only lake, wh... read more

Maori Language Week has seen Waikato's Very Important Project (B4 School Checks) give one little boy a sneak preview of their special edition lunchboxes. Just in time for Maori Language Week, B4 School project manager E... read more

Waikato's B4 School Checks on track Waikato's B4 School Checks went live five months ago and those leading out the project are optimistic of a good outcome for the region's four-year-olds. Waikato has the fifth largest eligible population for the B4 Sch... read more

Despite three swine flu-related deaths in the past week, health messages remain the same, says Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dell Hood. Waikato DHB health officials met this morning to debrie... read more

re: Hamilton, New Zealand H1N1 deathThe country's first swine flu-related deaths were confirmed today. Three people - a 19-year-old man from Waikato, a 42-year old man from Christchurch and a young girl from Wellington - are th... read more

Two Te Awamutu dairy owners, a Hamilton service station employee and a Hamilton dairy owner are facing possible prosecution and fines of up to $2000 after selling cigarettes to people under the age of 18. ... read more

There are now four confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1), or swine flu, in the Waikato District Health Board region. This figure is up from two cases yesterday, after medical officer of health Anita Bell was... read more

There have not been any new patient cases of diarrhoea and vomiting in ward 5 over the last 24 hours, but seven patients continue to have symptoms. There is one further staff member off sick. Staff are still required to r... read more

Two further patients and four more employees in Ward 5 at Waikato Hospital have symptoms of norovirus today. That takes the number of people affected this week to 14 patients and five staff. Infection Control clinical nurse manager Vicki Par... read more

A norovirus outbreak in a general medical ward at Waikato Hospital has infection control staff urging the public to stay away from the hospital if they are sick and for GPs and rest homes to treat patients at home... read more

Waikato District Health Board's Population Health Service is currently managing ten possible cases of Influenza A (H1N1). The figures are up from the three possible cases reported yesterday, all of whom wer... read more

Some Thames Hospital staff in contact with patients suffering the affects of diarrhoea and vomiting have themselves now been affected. There were no new cases admitted to Thames Hospital over the weekend but a number of hosp... read more

Thames Hospital has a number of cases of diarrhoea and vomiting and asks GPs and rest homes to manage patients within the community unless they are so ill they urgently need hospitalisation. The cases are highly contagious. ... read more

Influenza A (H1N1) Waikato update JUNE 5, 2009 Background and global information On 24 April 2009, an outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1), previously known as Swine Flu, was reported by the USA and Mexico. This outbreak is continuing to spread globally, an... read more

Kai @ the right price comes at the right time A celebration for an Otorohanga health initiative, now rolled out throughout the Waikato District Health Board region, took place today. And it seems Kai @ the Right Price may have come at just the right tim... read more

More New Zealanders have received seasonal influenza immunisation this year than ever before. Only halfway into its four-month campaign, the National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG) 1 confirmed that 807,539 dose... read more

Clearance of all Waikato’s possible cases of Influenza A (H1N1) came today following three negative test results for “swine flu”. Despite getting the all clear, Waikato District Health Board remains in Coordinated Incident Mana... read more

Waikato District Health Board is currently investigating three possible cases of swine flu (Influenza A H1N1). Notification of two of these possible cases came through yesterday. To date, testing of all Waikato's possible swine flu ... read more

Waikato District Health Board has two possible cases of influenza A (H1N1) or swine flu. Six people are in isolation. Over the weekend four test results came back negative. Waikato DHB remains in Coordinated Incident Manag... read more

Waikato District Health Board received notification of one more possible case of Influenza A (H1N1), or swine flu, today. This brings Waikato's total possible case count to five, with 11 people currently in isolati... read more

MEDIA RELEASE Date: 30 April 2008 Pharmacists dust off the Pandemic Infection Control guidelines Pharmacists will be dusting off their copy of the Pandemic Infection Control guidelines issued to Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand members during the Avian F... read more

Waikato District Health Board is investigating three further possible cases of swine flu today, meaning they are now awaiting test results on four cases. Again, the new cases and their household contacts are taking Ta... read more

As of this afternoon, Waikato District Health Board can confirm their first two possible swine flu cases have tested negative to Influenza A. Waikato DHB received results back from Wellington less than one hour ago. Test results for ... read more

Two clear tests, awaiting oneTest results for two Waikato residents have come back negative for influenza A swine flu. Waikato District Health Board is awaiting more conclusive results for confirmation. The two possible cases and their direct household cont... read more

Statement by Tony RyallI wish to make a Ministerial Statement under standing order 348 in relation to the global influenza  situation and responses here in New Zealand. Mr Speaker, as has been said, this is a t... read more

Does seasonal influenza vaccine work on swine fluThe National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG) 1 confirmed today that there is currently no vaccine available against the new swine influenza virus that has emerged in Mexico. NISG also advises that Tamiflu i... read more

Ministry of Health UPDATE No 7 28 April 2009The test results have been returned as negative for three individuals who returned to New Zealand from travel to Mexico as part of a school trip from Northcote College. The three were part of... read more

Waikato District Health Board is investigating two possible cases of Swine Flu today. These people and their household contacts (people they have been in regular contact with) are being tested to determine whether t... read more

Waikato District Health Board’s Population Health Service is investigating three mumps cases in the area. Medical Officer of Health Dr Anita Bell said people experiencing fever, pain and swelling in the jaw or front of ea... read more

Waikato shallow lakes Cyanobacterial update Warning uplifted for Lake Kainui The cyanobacterial health warning has been lifted for Lake Kainui following the latest monitoring results from the six Waikato shallow lakes that are routinely tested. Warnin... read more

The equivalent of a settlement the size of Te Kuiti is wiped out every year because of smoking, says Waikato District Health Board health promoter Kerri Huaki. She is talking about Face the Facts, part ... read more

About 2000 adults and 1000 children are expected to take part in the 2009 New Zealand Oral Health Survey that is being conducted from March to November 2009. The Ministry of Health commissioned the survey to ... read more

Health warning issued for Waikato River hotspot Bay of Plenty and Waikato residents are being reminded to take care when using Lake Ohakuri, after monitoring has confirmed the presence of an algal bloom in the Whirinaki arm of Lake Ohakuri. A health wa... read more

Four-year-old Hamilton twins Alysha and Grace Gill have five things to do before they turn five.           As Waikato District Health Board's newest billboard models for the B... read more

Warning lifted at HakanoaThe cyanobacterial health warning has been lifted for Hakanoa following the latest monitoring results from the six Waikato shallow lakes which are tested.   Hakanoa’s cell count has n... read more

The toxic shellfish health warning remains in place for the coastline from Kohi Point (Whakatane Heads) to the mouth of the Motu River. People are advised to avoid collecting or eating shellfish from this area u... read more

The health warning issued for toxic shellfish remains in place. Results received today confirm that people should continue to avoid collecting or eating shellfish from the wider Coromandel and Bay of Plenty coastlin... read more

As a result of follow up testing, people are now advised to avoid collecting or eating shellfish from the wider Coromandel and Bay of Plenty coastline from Tairua (including Tairua Harbour) south including Whiritoa, Whang... read more

Jandals, the beach, barbecues and camping are all well-loved features of the quintessential Kiwi summer. However, if you are heading away these holidays, here are some things you need to remember around food safety a... read more

Six monitored lakes now have health warnings As expected, the recent summer weather has resulted in massive growth of cyanobacteria in the routinely monitored shallow lakes. Warnings were already in place fo... read more

The cyanobacterial health warning has been reinstated at Lake Whangape following the latest monitoring results from the six Waikato shallow lakes which are routinely tested. Warnings remain in place at K... read more

Love them, protect them, immunise them That is the catch phrase of Waikato District Health Board's newest addition to it's long list of community-based services. Waikato DHB's Population Health Service is taking child immunisations one step further into... read more

l disease There have been five cases of meningococcal disease notified to Waikato District Health Board since the beginning of June. This is one case less than the 2007 June-July period. Waikato DHB me... read more

At least three people have presented to Thames and Waikato hospitals in the past 10 days, after reportedly taking a white powder substance. The individuals presented to Health Waikato emergency departments with ... read more

The cyanobacterial health warning has been reinstated at Lake Kainui, following the latest monitoring results from the six Waikato shallow lakes. Meanwhile, the warning has now been lifted from Whangape... read more

Parents of more than 25,000 Waikato teenagers will receive realistic advice and information on a range issues affecting 21st century teens, next week. One week out from the ‘whanau pack’ launch, Waikato Distr... read more

A Hamilton service station employee and a dairy owner are facing possible prosecution and a fine of up to $2000 after selling cigarettes to people under 18. Waikato District Health Board’s Population Health S... read more

Six schools in Waikato District Health Board’s region have received a financial helping hand for their planned project or initiative that will improve the nutrition of their students. Hamilton East, Kakahi, Hamilton No... read more

Waikato, King Country and Coromandel secondary schools say a new youth-focused health education tool is just the ticket. In just three weeks, 37 of the region’s 45 secondary schools have participated in the ‘Whan... read more

Media ReleaseDate: 10 April 2008Latest results from the six monitored shallow lakes have resulted in the lifting of a health warning on Lake Waahi. Only three of these lakes, Kainui, Whangape and Waikare, still h... read more

Media releaseDate: April 10, 2008Everyday, public health staff work to protect your health – the public’s health. Whether it be promoting healthy lifestyles in your schools, enforcing hygiene standards in eating es... read more

Media ReleaseDate: April 9, 2008Residents who live near Tamahere’s Icepack Coolstore have received a letter reiterating initial health messages about smoke lingering from the weekend blaze. In the letter, the message... read more

Please find attached a sound bite of Dr Felicity Dumble, Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health. Interview with Dr Felicity DumbleMary Anne GillDirector of Media and CommunicationsWaikato District Health B... read more

Sunday April 6, 2008Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble is advising any residents with concerns about the smoke in the area of the fire at Tamahere south of Hamilton to contact a Hamilton ... read more

Are you working on initiatives in your community aimed at getting local families and whanau to eat healthier foods?You could be eligible for a financial hand-up thanks to the launch of the latest Community Partner... read more

The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) today reminded people to continue to be careful about eating comb honey purchased from the Coromandel Peninsula since early January this year.   Consumers should ch... read more

If you have purchased comb honey from the Coromandel Peninsula since early January this year, please check with the supplier that the honey has been harvested in accordance with requirements. If people are in any doubt a... read more

Comb honey sold with the brand name “A Taste of Whangamata Pure Honey” and trading under Projen Apiaries is at the centre of the Coromandel suspected honey poisoning. Health officials at Waikato District He... read more

Health officials say a 70-year-old Hamilton woman holidaying in Whangamata is almost certainly the latest struck down by toxic honey poisoning. The woman bought two pots of comb honey from Meat at the Beach Butchers, o... read more

The 32-year-old English tourist at the centre of a toxic honey poisoning scare in the Coromandel has today been discharged from Thames Hospital. Joseph Reynolds, an IT support analyst in London, will continue holidaying in New Z... read more

The 32-year-old English tourist in a satisfactory condition in Thames Hospital with suspected toxic honey poisoning is likely to be discharged tomorrow (Sunday). Joseph Reynolds ate comb honey bought from the Coromandel area o... read more

A 32-year-old man remains in a satisfactory condition in Thames Hospital while two others, a 38-year-old woman and her three-year-old son, have been treated and discharged after displaying the symptoms o... read more

The most recent cyanobacterial cell count results for Waikato shallow lakes show despite warm weather, cell counts have remained low in two of the six monitored lakes. As a result, health warnings in La... read more

Routine testing by Health Waikato’s Food and Nutrition Service has uncovered listeria monocyotogenes in packaged, externally purchased cold beef at Waikato Hospital. The testing was carried out at Waika... read more

One of the country’s largest district health boards is calling for a complete ban on all retail tobacco displays and the minimum age of people selling tobacco set at 25 years and over. In a submission to the... read more

Five Waikato schools have been given a financial boost to help create healthier eating environments for their students.   Tapu, Pukenui, Kopuarahi, Silverdale Normal and Pukete primary schools received a combined total ... read more

With the warm weather this summer, Waikato’s shallow lakes are being monitored more frequently for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).   Due to the raised and rapid changes in the levels of cyanobacteria in the lakes, curr... read more

Most of us think that popcorn is an easy, light and healthy snack to give kids, and some types are. But did you know that some pre-packaged microwave popcorn contains more fat than a Big Mac burger? When it comes to snacks, k... read more