A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the research included studies dating back to 1988 that may not reflect the current situation. Photo: 123RF
The Ministry of Health is reviewing campylobacter hospitalisation data, after new research found the rate of hospitalisation had jumped nearly 70 percent in 17 years.
Analysis released by the Public Health Communication Centre found contaminated chicken was mostly to blame, causing nearly 80 percent of infections, but the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) disputed the figures and accused the researchers of scaremongering.
Deputy director-general of Food Safety - which sits within MPI - Vincent Arbuckle admitted hospitalisations had increased, but told Morning Report infection rates were dropping.
Food Safety was working with the Ministry of Health to understand what was causing more hospitalisations, he said.
A Ministry of Health spokesperson said the research relied on a range of assumptions to determine "the overall burden of disease attributed to campylobacter", which included studies using data back to 1988.
That may not reflect the current situation, they said, but the ministry and the Institute for Public Health and Forensic Science (PHF) were "undertaking a review of the data that our agencies hold relating to campylobacter and hospitalisation", the spokesperson said.
The review sought to determine whether the assumptions the PHCC research relied on were valid. It would be completed within the next few months, subject to resource, prioritisation and availability of information, the ministry spokesperson said.
Several factors could cause a rise in hospitalisations, they added.
"Early access to healthcare, when required, plays a key role in managing the effects of campylobacter - such as dehydration - and preventing the more severe symptoms, which lead to hospitalisations.
"There is work underway to increase access to primary care."
PHF has been approached for comment.
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