Painted Apple Moth - Hospital Discharges

Descriptive Study of Hospital Discharges for Respiratory Diseases in Spray Zone for Painted Apple Moth (Auckland), Relative to Local and National Statistics 1999-2004

Date of publication: September 2005

Between 21 January 2002 and 13 May 2004, residential areas of Western Auckland were sprayed with Foray 48B in an effort to eradicate an exotic pest, the Painted Apple Moth.

This study was commissioned by the New Zealand Ministry of Health to examine hospital discharge rates for respiratory conditions among the exposed population compared to local and national rates before and during the spray period.

Specific terms of reference for this report are as follows:

Assemble NZHIS hospital discharge data for ICD-10 codes corresponding to respiratory disease. Compare rates between the spray zone and nationally.

Specifically examine discharges and other data over critical time periods, using before and during spray event (Jan 2002 to May 2004) comparisons as one control measure, and also comparing to non-exposed.

Include PM10 monitoring data from the most relevant air monitoring station(s) to account for general particulate pollution as a confounding factor, and account for changes in ambient temperatures.

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Descriptive study of hospital discharges for respiratory diseases in spray zone for Painted Apple Moth (Auckland), relative to local and national statistics 1999-2004 (PDF 387 kB)

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Related information

Ministry provided with final reports on Painted Apple Moth and Asian Gypsy Moth health services (media release 29 June 2005)
The Ministry of Health has been provided with copies of the final health monitoring reports from the providers of the Painted Apple Moth and Asian Gypsy Moth health support services.

Report on the effects of the painted apple moth spray programme (media release 27 April 2004)

Ministry receives first report on health effects from painted apple moth spraying

Ministry receives second report on health effects from painted apple moth spraying

New Zealand biosecurity and quarantine information

MAF website

Information on the MAF website about the Painted Apple Moth programme