The first case of invasive group A streptococcal infection (iGAS) has been notified for Ashburton District since it became a notifiable disease on October 1.
Types of iGAS include bone and joint infections, sepsis, necrotising fasciitis and toxic shock syndrome.
The Ministry of Health says iGAS is a severe illness that almost always results in hospitalisation, and can be fatal.
For the week ending October 18, two cases were notified for Canterbury and the West Coast, following zero cases the week prior. One was from Ashburton District, the other was from Christchurch.
Between October 1 and October 18, there were 24 cases (23 confirmed and 1 probable) of iGAS reported nationally. Of those, 15 cases were from across the North Island, and nine from Te Waipounamu.
The Ministry of Health voluntary laboratory reporting to ESR suggested iGAS case numbers were trending upwards in many countries, including New Zealand, since the pandemic.
Making a disease notifiable means health practitioners and laboratories are required to inform a Medical Officer of Health of a confirmed or suspected case.
Cabinet approved adding iGAS to the list of notifiable infectious diseases under the Health Act 1956 in August.
Te Whatu Ora says close contacts may be at higher risk of developing an iGAS infection for up to 30 days following their last contact with a case. The disease occurs when group A streptococcal infections, often of the throat or skin, get into a part of the body in which the bacteria are not normally present.
Cabinet also removed Covid-19 from the list of quarantinable infectious diseases, as specified in schedule 1 of the Health Act.
However, novel coronavirus capable of causing severe respiratory illness has been retained as quarantinable.
