Wednesday, 28 November 2007, 4:11 pm
Press Release: Canterbury DHB
MEDIA RELEASE
Subject: Medical Officer of Health UrgesPeople to Heat co*cktail Sausages Thoroughly
Canterbury’sMedical Officer of Health is urging people to thoroughlyheat co*cktail sausages before eating them following anoutbreak of an illness among children who had consumedthem.
Dr Ramon Pink says co*cktail sausages (also known ascheerios or saveloys) should be heated before they are eatenand should not be offered cold to children at butcher’sshops or delicatessens.
An investigation by the CanterburyDistrict Health Board’s Community and Public Healthdivision has found six children under five years old withYersiniosis had eaten co*cktail sausages. Symptoms of theinfection usually last about 48 hours and include diarrhoea,possibly stomach pains, but usually no vomiting.
Most ofthe children lived in the south Christchurch area and thesuspected food was purchased in this area. The problemappears to have occurred from mid October to early November2007. It is believed more people, particularly children,could have been affected by the illness.
The co*cktailsausages were given to most of the children over the counter– a common practice which has been associated withoutbreaks of salmonella and campylobacter in Christchurch inthe past.
While co*cktail sausages are cooked during theirpreparation they are not ready-to-eat foods. Further heatingbefore eating is required to destroy any bacteria that mayhave contaminated them after they were made.
As the scaleof the outbreak is unknown, Dr Pink says anyone who haseaten co*cktail sausages purchased from the southChristchurch area during October/November and has developeddiarrhoea and possibly stomach pains should contact aCommunity and Public Health Health Protection Officer on(03)364-1777.
ENDS
CDHB
Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is a Christchurch, New Zealand based hospital and healthcare provider for the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Our region extends from Kekerengu in the North, to Rangitata in the South and Arthurs Pass in the West and comprises the six Territorial Local Authorities of Kaikoura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Ashburton.
We collaborate with other health and disability organisations, stakeholders and our community to decide what health and disability services are needed and how to best use the funding we receive from Government to improve, promote and protect the health, wellbeing and independence of our population.
At the Canterbury DHB, our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Canterbury.
Contact Canterbury DHB
- Website - www.cdhb.govt.nz
- Media Contact - Jendy Harper
