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Grant Matthew
Claire Richardson's summer research project in 2016 found a link between calves and serious illness in young children.
A seriously ill Taranaki child needed hospital treatment for a potentially fatal calf-related infection, even before the peak season.
Taranaki has one of the highest rates of the disease, which causes severe gastroenteritis and sometimes fatal kidney complications in young children, said in a statement Dr. Jonathan Jarman, Medical Officer of Health of Taranaki DHB. "Taranaki has high levels of E. coli producing Shiga toxin (STEC), also known as verotoxigenic E. coli (VTEC). Young children on farms with cattle are at high risk of from August to October is the peak season for STEC / VTEC, with the main symptoms being watery diarrhea, blood in diarrhea, severe abdominal pain and vomiting.
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" Young children with STEC are more likely to have a serious complication called Uremic Hemolytic Syndrome (HUS) that could damage their kidneys. On average, we receive a child with this complication once a year in Taranaki, "said Jarman.
" We already had a case in April when a very sick child had to be treated in Auckland. "
Signs of STEC infection should consult a physician or call Healthline at 0800 611 116 before taking any medication, as some might even make it worse," he said.
Disease was observed in New Zealand in 1993 and increased
Research conducted by Claire Richardson, a medical student in Taranaki during her summer vacation in 2016, prompted the Board of Health of Taranaki district to undertake public information campaigns before calving
Over the last 10 years, children from 1 to 4 years old had been in contact with farm animals.
Animal waste were the main source of infection, but the toxin-producing bacteria also found were contaminated with animal waste such as mud puddles, troughs, clothing and farm shoes, as well as dog s and other farm animals.
One of the best ways to prevent infection is to wash your hands regularly. on a farm and after touching animals. Other ways to prevent the infection include complete cooking of the meat to kill any STEC bacteria and boil the untreated water and raw milk before drinking it.
Other risk factors included swimming in the water where you can not see your feet and be in contact with having the infection.
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