NZ penguin gets health clearance

29 July 2011 Last updated at 04:26 GMT "Happy Feet", the lost penguin, could get back to Antarctica early next month A young emperor penguin found washed up on a New Zealand beach is recovering well and could swim home next month.

Staff at Wellington zoo said results of an X-ray and blood test showed "Happy Feet", as it has been named, is fine after endoscopic surgery.

The penguin was found on Peka Peka beach, about 60km (37 miles) north of Wellington - some 3,000km from its home in Antarctica.

Experts had been reluctant to intervene as the bird appeared to be healthy.

However, it later grew lethargic and was operated on to remove sand from its stomach.

A Zoo spokeswoman, Kate Baker, said the penguin has gained about 4kg (9lb).

It was given a first swim at the zoo earlier this week, in salt water that was cooled to below 0C (32F).

Crowds have been flocking to the zoo to see the bird - the first such arrival of an Emperor penguin in New Zealand in at least 44 years.

The bird's plight has attracted worldwide attention.

Hundreds of people had gathered to watch a leading gastroenterologist from Wellington Hospital perform the endoscopy on the bird at the zoo in late June.

To help it feel more at home, the penguin is being kept in a room chilled to about 8C. There is a bed of ice for it to sleep on.

Zoo staff said the bird would probably be released offshore from the south end of the country early next month.

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Health warning to festival goers

21 June 2011 Last updated at 13:36 GMT Crowds create infection risks Too much alcohol, drugs, and sex, coupled with poor hygiene, can be a health risk at festivals, an expert is warning.

Sunburn, heat stroke, sprains and other minor ailments make up most casualties at music events, says Dr Mark Salter of the Health Protection Agency.

But there are occasional reports of sexual health problems, heart attacks and chest complaints.

Avoiding doing anything to excess is the best way to stay healthy, he adds.

Dr Salter, a consultant in communicable disease control at the HPA's Health Protection Unit in the South West has been attending festivals, including Glastonbury, for 20 years, to offer health protection advice.

Continue reading the main story Anyone who is unwell before a festival, particularly with diarrhoea and sickness, should not go to prevent spreading infection Take a good supply of existing medicines and pack them in luggageFind out where health services are at the festival, and seek help if you fall illDrinking water should be taken from potable water taps which are signpostedSource: Dr Mark Salter, HPAHis "top tips" for surviving festivals include using condoms, drinking plenty of water from a safe source, wearing a hat and sunscreen, and washing hands thoroughly after using the toilet.

Dr Salter said: "Avoid doing anything to excess is the best way to protect your health if you are visiting a festival this year.

"My experience of providing health advice and assistance at festivals for over 20 years tells me that people generally end up being unwell due to the combination of too much alcohol, drugs, sex and less than ideal hygiene.

"It is inevitable when suddenly thousands of people crowd together at a rural site with no fixed toilet system or bathing facilities and lots of alcoholic drinks that some people will become unwell as the risk of infection increases.

"It is therefore essential to follow good hygiene practices and wash your hands thoroughly after using the toilets."

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