Retrospective cohort study of an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis caused by a rare Cryptosporidium parvum subgenotype.

The occurrence of a gastrointestinal illness among a class of 96 undergraduate veterinary students in New Zealand prompted laboratory and questionnaire-based investigations. Cryptosporidium parvum was the only enteropathogen identified in 4/7 faecal specimens analysed. The C. parvum isolates carried a rare IIa GP60 allele, indicating a point-source outbreak. The infection source could not be microbiologically traced, but the investigation suggested contact with calves during a practical class as the most likely exposure. A total of 25/80 respondents to a questionnaire were defined as cases using a clinical case definition (31% attack rate). The inferred median incubation period was 5 days (range 0-11 days), and the median illness duration was 5-6 days (range 2-23 days), corroborating previous observations in experimental cryptosporidiosis. Disease was self-limiting, characterized by abdominal discomfort, diarrhoea, and in some cases, vomiting. Originating from a rural area and having had previously handled ruminants were associated with a significant risk reduction in males. All the three students who reported chronic use of steroid inhalers for treatment of asthma were cases. This case highlighted, once again, the potential hazard for explosive outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis.

Tasks considered by veterinarians to cause them musculoskeletal discomfort, and suggested solutions.

AIM: To describe veterinarians' perceptions of the causes of, and reasons for, work-related musculoskeletal discomfort (MSD), and to summarise their suggestions for ways to reduce the risk of MSD. METHODS: A cross-sectional study administered online asked 2,112 veterinarians registered in New Zealand to indicate, using free-handed text, the three tasks that "will most likely lead to musculoskeletal aches and pains (MSD)", reasons "why are these tasks likely to be the most risky?", and "any solutions that you apply or know of ". RESULTS: Complete questionnaires were returned by 828 veterinarians, a response rate of 39%. The tasks considered by veterinarians most likely to lead to MSD were lifting, surgery, rectal palpations, and animal handling. The main reasons why tasks were perceived to be most likely to lead to MSD were awkward posture, repetitive activities, and physical activity. The solutions suggested by veterinarians included provision of appropriate assistance and/or adequate staff, attention to correct manual handling techniques, provision of facilities to allow work to be carried out at a comfortable height, and regular rotation of jobs. Of the 39 solution categories, 16 (41%) could be categorised as those requiring a change in design of the work environment, and 15 (38%) involved training. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that veterinarians perceive the causes of work-related MSD to be related to physical rather than psychosocial factors. We propose that the findings reported in this study provide a useful starting point for the application of a participatory ergonomics approach for addressing the problem of MSD amongst veterinarians in New Zealand.

A survey of anaesthetic equipment in veterinary practices in New Zealand.

Sixty-four anaesthetic machines and 89 breathing circuits were surveyed in New Zealand veterinary practices. Each machine and circuit was tested for correct function. Sixty-six percent of machines checked were 10 years or older and vaporiser out-of-circuit machines totalled 72% of machines surveyed. Twenty-five percent of the temperature compensated vaporisers had been serviced within the previous 1 year, 33% serviced between 1 and 10 years ago, while the remaining 42% had no service record or had not been serviced for over 10 years. Sixty-six percent of machines had some type of scavenging device. Nineteen percent of machines had a leak in the high pressure system. Thirty percent of the anaesthetic machine low pressure systems leaked and 76% of the patient breathing circuits leaked. Overall, 91% of all anaesthetic machines and breathing circuits showed malfunctions which could increase practice operating costs, increase the exposure of practice personnel to anaesthetic agents, and increase patient morbidity.