Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) holds fortnightly teleconferences to share and evaluate the latest information and developments in communicable diseases surveillance. This report provides a fortnightly summary on diseases of current interest and notifications of Australia's nationally notifiable diseases."> Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) holds fortnightly teleconferences to share and evaluate the latest information and developments in communicable diseases surveillance. This report provides a fortnightly summary on diseases of current interest and notifications of Australia's nationally notifiable diseases."> Department of Health and Ageing - National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System—current CDNA fortnightly report
Better health and ageing for all Australians

Fortnightly summary notes

National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System—current CDNA fortnightly report

The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) holds fortnightly teleconferences to share and evaluate the latest information and developments in communicable diseases surveillance. This report provides a fortnightly summary on diseases of current interest and notifications of Australia's nationally notifiable diseases.

Fortnight 05: 23 February to 8 March 2013


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Multijurisdictional outbreak investigation: Listeriosis

OzFoodNet continues to investigate this outbreak. As of 8 March 2013, there were 29 confirmed listeriosis cases from six jurisdictions. Three people have died and one miscarriage was associated with this outbreak. There were seven new notified cases of listeriosis identified during the past fortnight. All are pending further laboratory investigation to determine if they are associated with the current outbreak.

Evidence gathered from the epidemiological investigation, case histories, laboratory testing, food sampling and traceback information has identified a link between outbreak cases and the consumption of soft cheese. The manufacturer conducted a voluntary recall of a particular batch as a precautionary measure on 18 December 2012. A second recall occurred on 18 January 2013 included all cheeses manufactured on or before 6 January 2013. Investigations are ongoing to identify any further cases and the environmental source of contamination in this outbreak.

Gonococcal infection


This reporting period there were 488 notifications of gonococcal infection reported to the NNDSS. The cases were mostly notified from New South Wales (198), Queensland (117) and Western Australia (91). Over the past quarter1 there have been 3,351 notifications, which is 1.4 times the quarterly rolling five year mean2 for the same period. In the past twelve months there have been 14,011 notifications which is 1.5 times the yearly rolling 5 year mean4. Gonococcal infection notifications continue to present an upward trend, with some jurisdictions noting higher than expected numbers.

Analysis of the male to female incidence ratio suggests that in general transmission of gonorrhoea in the non-Indigenous population is predominately among men who have sex with men, whereas in the Indigenous population transmission is predominately through heterosexual contact.

Typhoid fever

There were nine notified cases of typhoid infection reported between 23 February and 8 March 2013. Over the past quarter there have been 64 notified cases, which is 1.7 times the quarterly rolling five year mean2 of 38 cases.

Typically, most infections are acquired overseas, mostly in South and South East Asia. Australians planning travel to at-risk destinations should consult their doctor prior to travel. Your doctor can provide advice on ways to prevent infection. Further information is available from Smartraveller website.


Interpretative Notes

Selected diseases are chosen each fortnight based on either exceeding two standard deviations from the 90 day and/or 365 day five year rolling mean or other disease issues of significance identified during the reporting period. All diseases reported are analysed by notification receive date. Data are extracted each Monday of a CDNA week.Top of page

Totals comprise data from all States and Territories. Cumulative figures are subject to retrospective revision so there may be discrepancies between the number of new notifications and the increment in the cumulative figure from the previous period.

1The past quarter (90 day) surveillance period includes the date range 09/12/2012 to 08/03/2013.
2The quarterly (90 day) five year rolling mean is the average of 5 intervals of 90 days up to 8 March. The ratio is the notification activity in the past quarter (90 days) compared with the five year rolling mean for the same period.
3The past year (365 day) surveillance period includes the date range 09/03/2012 to 08/03/2013.
4The yearly (365 day) five year rolling mean is the average of 5 intervals of 365 days up to 8 March. The ratio is the notification activity in the past year (365 days) compared with the five year rolling mean for the same period.

The five year rolling mean and the ratio of notifications compared with the five year rolling mean should be interpreted with caution. Changes in surveillance practice, diagnostic techniques and reporting may contribute to increases or decreases in the total notifications received over a five year period. Ratios are to be taken as a crude measure of current disease activity and may reflect changes in reporting rather than changes in disease activity.





NNDSS provisional fortnightly report of notifications from states and territories for the period 23 February to 8 March 2013


Table 1: Total National Notifiable Diseases reported for the period 23 February to 8 March 2013

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ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
106
1,676
256
2,255
584
182
560
1,227
6,846
7,021
9,942
36,592

The following tables provide the figures for National Notifiable Diseases reported for the period 23 February to 8 March 2013:

Table 2a: Bloodborne diseases

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Disease
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
Hepatitis (NEC)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Hepatitis B (newly acquired)
0
2
0
5
0
0
0
2
9
5
5
47
Hepatitis B (unspecified)
9
90
1
34
11
2
36
40
223
185
319
1,213
Hepatitis C (newly acquired)
0
0
0
NN
5
1
3
2
11
12
14
70
Hepatitis C (unspecified)
9
117
3
101
7
11
69
55
372
388
448
1,837
Hepatitis D
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
2
2
2
7

Table 2b: Bloodborne diseases

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Disease
Past Quarter
Quarterly Rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past Quarter /5 year mean
Exceeds Quarterly rolling mean +2 SD by
Past Year
Yearly rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past year /5 year mean
Exceeds yearly rolling mean +2 SD by
Hepatitis (NEC)
0
0.2
0.0
-
3
0.4
7.5
1.5
Hepatitis B (newly acquired)
66
55.8
1.2
-
210
238.6
0.9
-
Hepatitis B (unspecified)
1,539
1,594.0
1.0
-
6,533
6,751.8
1.0
-
Hepatitis C (newly acquired)
100
97.0
1.0
-
440
395.0
1.1
-
Hepatitis C (unspecified)
2,349
2,485.4
0.9
-
9,772
10,841.6
0.9
-
Hepatitis D
7
7.6
0.9
-
31
36.0
0.9
-

Table 3a: Gastrointestinal diseases

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Disease
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
Botulism
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Campylobacteriosis
14
NN
3
160
66
31
33
60
367
319
711
1,895
Cryptosporidiosis
3
118
3
61
6
7
104
25
327
254
267
1,044
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
3
0
6
Hepatitis A
0
3
0
4
0
0
3
3
13
17
11
57
Hepatitis E
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
5
7
Listeriosis
0
3
0
1
0
1
1
1
7
4
8
31
STEC, VTEC
1
1
0
1
2
0
0
0
5
8
4
37
Salmonellosis
6
156
19
181
29
23
118
56
588
719
643
3,155
Shigellosis
2
8
5
5
1
0
4
1
26
29
25
111
Typhoid Fever
0
3
0
3
1
0
2
0
9
10
17
56

Table 3b: Gastrointestinal diseases

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Disease
Past Quarter
Quarterly Rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past Quarter /5 year mean
Exceeds Quarterly rolling mean +2 SD by
Past Year
Yearly rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past year /5 year mean
Exceeds yearly rolling mean +2 SD by
Botulism
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.6
0.0
-
Campylobacteriosis
2,835
4,674.6
0.6
-
13,651
16,739.8
0.8
-
Cryptosporidiosis
1,174
913.2
1.3
-
3,233
2,590.4
1.2
-
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)
6
5.6
1.1
-
22
16.8
1.3
-
Hepatitis A
71
67.8
1.0
-
188
281.8
0.7
-
Hepatitis E
9
9.8
0.9
-
32
36.4
0.9
-
Listeriosis
41
22.2
1.8
7.0
97
71.6
1.4
-
STEC, VTEC
43
38.6
1.1
-
118
99.6
1.2
-
Salmonellosis
3,802
3,495.0
1.1
-
11,473
10,407.8
1.1
-
Shigellosis
143
181.8
0.8
-
519
624.8
0.8
-
Typhoid Fever
64
38.4
1.7
9.7
136
111.8
1.2
-

Table 4a: Quarantinable diseases

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Disease
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
Cholera
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
HPAIH
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Plague
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Rabies
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Smallpox
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Viral haemorrhagic fever (NEC)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Yellow fever
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Table 4b: Quarantinable diseases

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Disease
Past Quarter
Quarterly Rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past Quarter /5 year mean
Exceeds Quarterly rolling mean +2 SD by
Past Year
Yearly rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past year /5 year mean
Exceeds yearly rolling mean +2 SD by
Cholera
0
1.0
0.0
-
9
5.0
1.8
-
HPAIH
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.0
0.0
-
Plague
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.0
0.0
-
Rabies
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.0
0.0
-
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.0
0.0
-
Smallpox
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.0
0.0
-
Viral haemorrhagic fever (NEC)
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.0
0.0
-
Yellow fever
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
2.0
0.0
-

Table 5a: Sexually transmissible infections

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Disease
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
Chlamydial infection
38
740
59
779
223
40
0
450
2,329
2,416
3,952
13,485
Donovanosis
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Gonococcal infection
4
198
50
117
23
4
1
91
488
473
634
2,662
Syphilis - congenital
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Syphilis < 2 years
0
2
0
13
4
0
2
7
28
31
66
233
Syphilis > 2 years or unspecified duration
0
3
2
12
NDP
0
9
3
29
58
60
234

Table 5b: Sexually transmissible infections

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Disease
Past Quarter
Quarterly Rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past Quarter /5 year mean
Exceeds Quarterly rolling mean +2 SD by
Past Year
Yearly rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past year /5 year mean
Exceeds yearly rolling mean +2 SD by
Chlamydial infection
16,539
16,844.0
1.0
-
78,223
67,044.6
1.2
-
Donovanosis
0
0.6
0.0
-
1
1.6
0.6
-
Gonococcal infection
3,351
2,428.0
1.4
-
14,011
9,323.6
1.5
375.5
Syphilis - congenital
1
1.0
1.0
-
3
4.8
0.6
-
Syphilis < 2 years
317
316.8
1.0
-
1,566
1,307.4
1.2
31.1
Syphilis > 2 years or unspecified duration
299
295.4
1.0
-
1,266
1,355.6
0.9
-

Table 6a: Vaccine preventable diseases

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Disease
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
Diphtheria
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Haemophilus influenzae type b
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
Influenza (laboratory confirmed)
3
75
33
132
50
0
42
31
366
328
225
1,692
Measles
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
3
1
1
8
Mumps
0
2
0
1
0
0
0
6
9
15
9
56
Pertussis
9
83
3
169
15
47
100
52
478
661
1,152
3,180
Pneumococcal disease (invasive)
1
14
9
7
4
2
6
1
44
35
36
191
Poliomyelitis
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Rubella
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
Rubella Congenital
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Tetanus
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
Varicella zoster (Chickenpox)+
1
NN
7
7
19
0
0
5
39
32
76
232
Varicella zoster (Shingles)+
1
NN
4
1
45
6
0
36
93
97
181
687
Varicella zoster (Unspecified)+
5
NN
0
215
48
7
0
55
330
301
309
1,600

Table 6b: Vaccine preventable diseases

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Disease
Past Quarter
Quarterly Rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past Quarter /5 year mean
Exceeds Quarterly rolling mean +2 SD by
Past Year
Yearly rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past year /5 year mean
Exceeds yearly rolling mean +2 SD by
Diphtheria
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.8
0.0
-
Haemophilus influenzae type b
3
3.4
0.9
-
13
20.0
0.7
-
Influenza (laboratory confirmed)
2,236
1,853.4
1.2
-
45,519
24,018.6
1.9
-
Measles
9
32.2
0.3
-
201
88.0
2.3
33.2
Mumps
68
66.0
1.0
-
221
260.0
0.9
-
Pertussis
4,433
7,339.4
0.6
-
21,516
25,380.2
0.8
-
Pneumococcal disease (invasive)
249
230.8
1.1
-
1,848
1,639.4
1.1
-
Poliomyelitis
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.2
0.0
-
Rubella
2
9.0
0.2
-
26
41.0
0.6
-
Rubella Congenital
0
0.2
0.0
-
1
0.4
2.5
-
Tetanus
4
0.8
5.0
1.5
8
3.4
2.4
0.7
Varicella zoster (Chickenpox)+
321
400.4
0.8
-
1,870
1,813.4
1.0
-
Varicella zoster (Shingles)+
941
794.0
1.2
-
4,267
2,798.8
1.5
-
Varicella zoster (Unspecified)+
2,131
1,606.6
1.3
-
8,521
6,231.0
1.4
-

Table 7a: Vectorborne diseases

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Disease
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
Arbovirus infection (NEC)
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
5
Barmah Forest virus infection
0
23
39
119
6
0
4
99
290
198
94
935
Dengue virus infection
0
0
4
18
0
0
3
12
37
62
95
309
Japanese encephalitis virus infection
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Kunjin virus infection
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Malaria
0
2
0
8
0
0
3
0
13
31
12
118
Murray Valley encephalitis virus infection
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
Ross River virus infection
0
19
12
75
14
0
1
125
246
249
458
992

Table 7b: Vectorborne diseases

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Disease
Past Quarter
Quarterly Rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past Quarter /5 year mean
Exceeds Quarterly rolling mean +2 SD by
Past Year
Yearly rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past year /5 year mean
Exceeds yearly rolling mean +2 SD by
Arbovirus infection (NEC)
10
4.2
2.4
1.0
18
16.2
1.1
-
Barmah Forest virus infection
1,068
516.2
2.1
227.7
2,309
1,732.6
1.3
53.5
Dengue virus infection
349
434.4
0.8
-
1,345
944.6
1.4
-
Japanese encephalitis virus infection
0
0.2
0.0
-
0
0.4
0.0
-
Kunjin virus infection
0
0.6
0.0
-
0
1.6
0.0
-
Malaria
134
114.0
1.2
-
385
471.6
0.8
-
Murray Valley encephalitis virus infection
0
0.4
0.0
-
0
4.6
0.0
-
Ross River virus infection
1,122
1,695.0
0.7
-
4,160
5,138.8
0.8
-

Table 8a: Zoonoses

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Disease
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
Anthrax
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Australian bat lyssavirus
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Brucellosis
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
6
Leptospirosis
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
4
0
7
9
Lyssavirus (NEC)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Ornithosis
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
4
Q fever
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
0
4
9
16
52
Tularaemia
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

Table 8b: Zoonoses

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Disease
Past Quarter
Quarterly Rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past Quarter /5 year mean
Exceeds Quarterly rolling mean +2 SD by
Past Year
Yearly rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past year /5 year mean
Exceeds yearly rolling mean +2 SD by
Anthrax
0
0.2
0.0
-
0
0.2
0.0
-
Australian bat lyssavirus
1
0.0
0.0
-
1
0.0
0.0
-
Brucellosis
8
9.6
0.8
-
23
35.4
0.6
-
Leptospirosis
11
46.6
0.2
-
104
139.4
0.7
-
Lyssavirus (NEC)
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
0.0
0.0
-
Ornithosis
8
17.0
0.5
-
70
80.0
0.9
-
Q fever
66
86.2
0.8
-
334
358.8
0.9
-
Tularaemia
0
0.0
0.0
-
0
2.0
0.0
-

Table 9a: Other bacterial infections

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Disease
ACT
NSW
NT
QLD
SA
TAS
VIC
WA
This Reporting Period
Previous Reporting Period
Same Reporting Period Last Year
2013 YTD
Legionellosis
0
4
0
3
1
0
2
0
10
11
10
66
Leprosy
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
Meningococcal disease (invasive)
0
1
0
2
1
0
2
1
7
3
2
25
Tuberculosis
0
6
0
10
0
0
12
6
34
51
58
229

Table 9b: Other bacterial infections

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Disease
Past Quarter
Quarterly Rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past Quarter /5 year mean
Exceeds Quarterly rolling mean +2 SD by
Past Year
Yearly rolling 5 year mean
Ratio Past year /5 year mean
Exceeds yearly rolling mean +2 SD by
Legionellosis
87
76.2
1.1
-
379
309.0
1.2
5.9
Leprosy
2
2.4
0.8
-
8
9.6
0.8
-
Meningococcal disease (invasive)
37
46.2
0.8
-
223
263.2
0.8
-
Tuberculosis
314
315.8
1.0
-
1,302
1,289.0
1.0
-
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Footnotes:
* Ratio of the 90 day prior surveillance period to the past 90 day 5 year rolling mean, or ratio of the 365 day prior surveillance period to the 365 day 5 year rolling mean. NN = Not Notifiable, NDP = No data provided, NEC = Not elsewhere classified.

Dates used are:

Past Quarter (90d prior surveillance period): 09/12/2012 to 08/03/2013
Quarterly rolling 5Yr Mean (90d 5Yr Mean):
Quarterly rolling 5Yr Mean (90d 5Yr Mean) 1: 10/12/2011 to 08/03/2012
Quarterly rolling 5Yr Mean (90d 5Yr Mean) 2: 09/12/2010 to 08/03/2011
Quarterly rolling 5Yr Mean (90d 5Yr Mean) 3: 09/12/2009 to 08/03/2010
Quarterly rolling 5Yr Mean (90d 5Yr Mean) 4: 09/12/2008 to 08/03/2009
Quarterly rolling 5Yr Mean (90d 5Yr Mean) 5: 10/12/2007 to 08/03/2008

Past year (365d prior surveillance period): 09/03/2012 to 08/03/2013
Yearly rolling 5Yr Mean (365d 5Yr Mean):
Yearly rolling 5Yr Mean (365d 5Yr Mean) 2: 10/03/2011 to 08/03/2012
Yearly rolling 5Yr Mean (365d 5Yr Mean) 2: 09/03/2010 to 08/03/2011
Yearly rolling 5Yr Mean (365d 5Yr Mean) 3: 09/03/2009 to 08/03/2010
Yearly rolling 5Yr Mean (365d 5Yr Mean) 4: 09/03/2008 to 08/03/2009
Yearly rolling 5Yr Mean (365d 5Yr Mean) 5: 10/03/2007 to 08/03/2008


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