27 Aug 2016

No new wave of campylobacter infection - DHB

9:26 pm on 27 August 2016

Havelock North residents who have again had symptoms of gastric illness are being told there is no chance that a new wave of campylobacter infection is sweeping the town.

Red Cross volunteers handing out water in Havelock North. 20 August 2016.

Red Cross volunteers handing out water in Havelock North Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly

About 4700 people - a third of Havelock North's population - became ill when campylobacter tainted the town water supply, with several admitted to hospital.

But days after they thought they had recovered, some people in the area started showing more symptoms of gastric illness.

But Hawke's Bay District Health Board acting medical officer of health Phil Shoemark said symptoms appearing to re-emerge was a common characteristic of gastric illnesses.

Dr Shoemark said new cases of gastric disease had returned to pre-outbreak levels.

Just four people were seen today, across all of the area's private practices and emergency departments.

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