It is unknown where two cases of shigellosis notified from Ashburton District last week were contracted, and whether they are linked.
Notifiable disease data for the week ending June 27 shows three cases for the whole of Canterbury, including the two from Mid Canterbury and one from Christchurch.
A Health New Zealand spokesperson had little comment about the Mid Canterbury cases.
‘‘The source of the cases of shigellosis reported last week is still under investigation and we would not normally provide information about individual cases to protect their privacy,’’ they said.
Shigellosis is not common in New Zealand and is often acquired overseas, but some cases and outbreaks do happen in this country.
Caused by the shigella bacteria, it can cause diarrhoea, stomach cramps, fever and vomiting.
You can get it from contaminated food or drinking water.
The symptoms of shigellosis usually start one to three days after you are infected. But they can happen up to seven days later. Symptoms tend to last four to seven days.
You may be infected and have no symptoms, but you can still pass the bacteria to others.
For prevention, be careful with the food you eat and what you drink. Wash your hands often and thoroughly.
