Infectious disease information
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Infectious (or communicable) diseases include illnesses such as measles, tuberculosis (TB), whooping cough (pertussis) and many different “bugs” that can give people vomiting and diarrhoea. These diseases are called “infectious” because they can spread to other people, sometimes very quickly.
If you are unwell and suspect you might have an infectious disease, please seek medical advice from your GP or call Healthline for free on 0800 611 116. If you think you might be ill with measles, mumps or the flu please advise your medical practice when you make your appointment so they can help reduce the risk of the illness spreading to other patients when you are seen.
If you are found to have an infectious disease that must be notified (by law) to the Te Whatu Ora Southern's public health service (Public Health South), you will be contacted after you have seen by your doctor by one of our staff, who will ask you some further questions about your illness. This is to help our staff advise you (and those looking after you) about how to reduce the risk of the illness spreading to others.