More on Sick Building in Christchurch, New Zealand

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http://www.press.co.nz/1999/49/991208n15.htm

Illness mystery

Health authorities remain baffled by a strange illness afflicting Nurse

Maude staff who worked in a building in Winston Avenue, Papanui. Canterbury

Medical Officer of Health Mel Brieseman said test results had failed to

identify anything specific or conclusive. " There is still nothing definite,

but we're still exploring the possibilities, " Dr Brieseman said. Several

Nurse Maude staff became ill after working in the building for a short time.

The building has since been closed, and tests are being done by a wide range

of experts.

http://www.press.co.nz/1999/48/991202l00.htm

Mysterious illness strikes occupants

by McNeil

Health authorities are investigating a mysterious illness affecting several

people who worked in a Papanui building.

The Nurse Maude Association moved 15 of its staff into temporary

accommodation in Winston Avenue in October but vacated the premises a month

later when staff became ill.

Health authorities have closed the building.

Nurse Maude chief executive Waterfield said a small group of staff

moved into the building on October 1 but within a couple of weeks some had

become unwell.

Staff reported a diverse range of symptoms, including having a strong

metallic taste in their mouths, neck and back stiffness, headaches, sore

throats, lethargy, memory and concentration problems, and stomach upsets.

" It was very peculiar because everyone who was working there was affected to

varying degrees, " Ms Waterfield said.

Visitors, including a building inspector called in to check the building,

also became unwell.

Several experts have been called in, including staff from Crown Public

Health, the Institute for Environmental and Scientific Research, an

occupational health specialist, an engineer, and an industrial chemist.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Mel Brieseman said the illness was " a

real mystery " and appeared to be " environmental " in nature. Legionnaires'

disease was one of several possibilities being investigated.

" We just have to wait for the test results but so far we have not found any

identifiable disease, " he said.

Two weeks into their investigations, the experts seemed no closer to finding

answers, he said.

Ms Waterfield said the illness was not infectious. Family members of those

affected had not become ill and there was no risk to other staff or Nurse

Maude clients.

She was " very concerned " for the affected staff, most of whom were

previously " very fit and healthy " . It was out of character for them to be

suffering from extreme lethargy.

" We thought that once they were out of the building their symptoms would

abate, but they haven't, " she said.

" We're very concerned for them and for the effect this is having on their

families. "

The building was formerly occupied by ACC. Communications manager Craig

Dowling said ACC's move from the building was not for health reasons.

He understood the building may have been empty for about eight months before

the new tenants (Nurse Maude) moved in.

ACC staff who had health problems dating back to their time at the building

were asked to notify management, but Mr Dowling said there had been no

apparent increase in staff sickness while ACC occupied the building.