Kiwi teacher living in Rarotonga critically ill with listeria

The Kiwi woman works at Apii Te Uki Ou, a primary school in Rarotonga. Photo / Google Earth

A Kiwi teacher living in Rarotonga is fighting for her life in an Auckland hospital after contracting listeria.

Apii Te Uki Ou teacher Grace Archer was flown to Auckland on Air New Zealand flight 945 last Friday, after the "acute deterioration" of her health. Her partner, fellow teacher Theo Warrick, was put on an emergency flight on Sunday night, to join her.

She is now on life support in the intensive care unit, battling listerial bacterial meningitis. Warrick has been granted special dispensation to be at her side.

Health ministry Te Marae Ora is now investigating how Archer got infected with listeriosis, a foodborne illness that officials say hasn't been seen in Cook Islands for at least 10 years.

Public health officials in Rarotonga have been interviewing those close to Archer, to identify possible food sources for the bacterial illness.

"Listeriosis usually causes few or no symptoms for most people, but can be serious for pregnant women, newborn babies, seniors, and people with weakened immune systems," the ministry said.

Te Marae Ora is working closely with Auckland Regional Public Health Service to investigate the case.

It says listeria is likely to be found in foods such as unpasteurised milk and cheese, as well as some seafood and processed meats such as luncheon meat and salami.

Health officials are looking out for patients who might present with symptoms of listeriosis such as fever, chills, muscle aches, nausea and diarrhoea.

Apii Te Uki Ou principal Mark Harris and board president Tony Fe'ao wrote to families last night.

"Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to Grace, Theo and their families at this very difficult time," they said. "Please keep them both in your thoughts and we are all very hopeful Grace will make a full recovery and return to us, as soon as possible."

Archer, taught the year 3 and 4 Kukupa class, but had recently been experiencing issues with her health, they said. After nearly three weeks of medical treatment, testing and support here on Rarotonga, doctors referred her to New Zealand for more tests – but her condition deteriorated rapidly.

"This is an extremely difficult time for our school and community," Harris and Fe'ao said.

"In their short time at our school, both of these wonderful team members have shown exceptional commitment to our school and students, bring a vibrant energy to what they do, are very impressive teachers and are beautiful people in every way."

The school says it will advise families how they can offer financial support to Archer and Warrick.

According to the World Health Organization, listeriosis is a serious and severe foodborne disease, but it is preventable and treatable.

Pregnant women, the elderly or individuals with a weakened immune system are at greatest risk of severe listeriosis.

New-born babies who develop listeriosis can have difficulty breathing, develop a chest infection, and inflammation of the coverings of the brain (meningitis). This can sometimes cause death.

- Cook Island News