Nelson boy infected with sparrow salmonella

A Nelson boy has been found with the strain of salmonella that is killing sparrows throughout New Zealand.

The 5-year-old was found with the STM160 strain after he had been on holiday in Canterbury, but he did not need hospital treatment, said a senior health protection officer at Nelson Public Health, Geoff Cameron.

"Although we have been unable to trace the source of infection, we have been able to establish that he had been feeding some birds during his holiday, so there is a possible link," Mr Cameron said.

Canterbury had the highest number of notified cases in New Zealand this year.

Mr Cameron warned that that strain of bacteria could be passed on to people who touched bird faeces, or indirectly through eating food or drinking water that had been contaminated with the bacteria.

Symptoms included diarrhoea, headaches, stomach pain, nausea, fever and vomiting.

These usually developed within two days of exposure to the bacteria.

Mr Cameron said cats which ate sick or dead birds could also be infected with the bacteria.

Six cases of salmonellosis were reported in Nelson and Tasman last month.

One case had probably been picked up in Thailand, Mr Cameron said.

The best way of avoiding the disease was to follow basic hygiene practices such as washing hands after using the toilet or touching animals, and before preparing or eating food.

Eight cases of campylobacter were also reported in the region last month, with one case picked up in Australia, Mr Cameron said.

Cases of whooping cough (pertussis) also remained significantly high.

Nelson medical officer of health Ed Kiddle said 54 cases were reported in Nelson and Tasman last month.

- NZPA