University of Otago (Wellington) researchers found hospital admissions for the condition rose 78% between 2000 and 2019, increasing from 217 admissions per 100,000 people in 2000 to 386 admissions per 100,000 people in 2019. Research leader and public health PhD student Sharla McTavish said Māori were 1.7 times more likely to be admitted to hospital with sepsis than non-Māori, and Pacific peoples were 2.3 times more likely to be admitted to hospital with sepsis. Globally, sepsis is estimated to be responsible for one in three deaths, and more than 166million cases were reported in 2021. Ms McTavish said the Otago study was the first to report long-term epidemiological trends for all public hospital admissions for sepsis in New Zealand. A long-term, comprehensive national sepsis action plan was needed, to address early recognition and treatment, careful use of antibiotics, wider public health surveillance and equitable and effective wraparound support for sepsis survivors.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 31, 2026 17:06 UTC