This situation is similar to last year where 54 of 58 cases of cholera in Japan were imported. An outbreak of bacillary dysentery has affected 30 residents in the southern city of Pusan following consumption of meals provided by a church in Samrak-dong on March 04, 1999. An special team is investigating the source of infection, and the city government is carrying out anti-epidemic efforts to prevent further spread of the disease. An increase in the number of Ross River virus infections is expected following increased rainfall this summer. 9 cases have been reported so far in south-east Tasmania, mainly in the Sorell municipality.
Outbreaks usually peak in mid to late summer or early atumn.
While the majority of cases involve a range of animal and agriculture based industries, increased awareness of the disease has also resulted in increased testing and diagnosis. The pool was closed following an increase in the number of cases of cryptosporidiasis in north-east Christchurch and Kaiapoi. A health warning has been issued to the public with regard to the disease and its potential to spread through public swimming pools. Two different species of mosquitoes capable of carrying Dengue fever and Japanese Encephalitis, were detected during port inspections of cargo from overseas ships. Two adults and five larvae of Asian tiger mosquitoes, capable of carrying the two diseases were found in old tyres in empty containers that were berthed near a ship from Japan.