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WELLINGTON, (AFP) - Overcrowded housing is a major factor behind New Zealand's ten-year epidemic of the deadly meningococcal disease, researchers say. New Zealand is battling the highest rates of the disease in the developed world, with 3,300 people having suffered the disease, which has killed 150 people in the past decade, the New Zealand Herald reported.
A study released Friday said efforts to reduce household crowding, particularly in Pacific Island and Maori communities, would go a long way towards reducing the risk of the B-strain meningococcal meningitis. The study, carried out by Environmental Science and Research, Auckland Healthcare and the University of Auckland, aimed to identify risk factors for meningitis in Auckland children.
Auckland had the worst rate of the disease in the country, with 24 cases per 100,000 population, compared with 14.8 cases per 100,000 for New Zealand overall. "While household crowding is unlikely to have caused the meningococcal disease epidemic in New Zealand, crowding has almost certainly intensified its effect among the population groups with the highest rates," health ministry director Lynne Lane said.
Maori and Pacific Island people make up 74.6% of people living in crowded conditions but just 20.1% of the general population.
The study was the first of its kind in New Zealand and the largest to date examining risk factors for meningococcal disease. Crowding increased the risk of contracting the disease by more than 10 times in extreme situations, the study said. Other factors the researchers identified as risks included smoking around children and sharing food or drinks.
Public health physician Dr Michael Baker said about 10% of people, mostly adolescents and adults, carried the meningococcal bug in their throats without suffering symptoms. The disease was spread by coughing or saliva contact.
New Zealand's meningococcal epidemic is a social problem first and a health problem second, said a professor of community paediatrics. Professor Diana Lennon said society would benefit from providing affordable housing to everybody.
Health Minister Annette King said the Government was working to reduce overcrowding by providing decent and affordable housing. The ministry was seeking a vaccine against meningococcal disease and was investigating possibilities in Cuba, Norway and the Netherlands
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