General Health

New Zealand's mumps outbreak is now an epidemic and Auckland health leaders have asked the Ministry of Health to launch a nationwide vaccination campaign. Low immunisation rates are also leaving the population to a large scale, potentially deadly measles outbreak. An epidemic now exists because the disease can't be contained. More than 1000 people have contracted mumps in Auckland this year,…

Hepatitis C is a viral infection affecting over 50,000 New Zealanders, although it is estimated only half are currently diagnosed. Untreated, 20-25 percent of those with the disease will develop cirrhosis, and without successful treatment, 5 -10 percent of those with cirrhosis will progress to life-threatening liver cancer or liver failure every year. Major advances in the treatment of hepatitis…