zoonoses – Public Health Expert, University of Otago, New Zealand

Potential health co-benefits from eradicating rats, stoats and possums in NZ towns and cities

Monday, November 7th, 2016 | Kate Sloane | 2 Comments

Prof Nick Wilson, Dr Mary McIntyre, Dr Osman D Mansoor, Dr Paul Blaschke, Prof Michael Baker

The eradication of some introduced pests such as rats, stoats and possums in New Zealand, seems increasingly feasible with a new national 2050 goal and action at the city level eg, Wellington. The primary benefits will be to native birds and enhanced biodiversity, as well as for agriculture (if bovine tuberculosis is eradicated nationally). But what about the spin-offs for public health? This blog starts to explore this issue and provisionally concludes that there are many potential health benefits from the eradication or near-complete control of these pest species.

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NZ’s long-running Campylobacter epidemic from poultry: Now with antibiotic resistance

Saturday, December 19th, 2015 | Nick Wilson | 3 Comments

Prof Michael Baker & Prof Nick Wilson

NZ has a long-running Campylobacter infection epidemic with contaminated fresh poultry the major source. Added to this problem is the recent rapid emergence of antibiotic resistance in these Campylobacter infections acquired from locally produced poultry. In this blog we briefly detail these problems and explore potential solutions: (i) build on the past NZ success of regulating lower contamination levels in poultry; (ii) publicise contamination levels by poultry brand; (iii) label fresh poultry with information about Campylobacter contamination and how to reduce the risk; and (iv) encourage consumers to switch to frozen or cooked poultry – or switch completely to other protein foods.

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Potential health co-benefits from eradicating rats, stoats and possums in NZ towns and cities

NZ’s long-running Campylobacter epidemic from poultry: Now with antibiotic resistance

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