Swine Flu Update Four

Update Four

27 April 2009

This update follows on from this morning's press conference.

The Ministry of Health wants to stress that all passengers who have returned from North America and Mexico in the last two weeks who have flu-like symptoms should contact their GP or other heath professional. This key message is not limited to passengers who travelled on Air New Zealand flights NZ1 or NZ5.

The Ministry has been advised that the Rangitoto College staff member who had been admitted to hospital will be discharged this afternoon.

Five flights from the Americas arrived in New Zealand this morning. Of around a thousand passengers, two were "actively screened", meaning they had reported symptoms to either their air crew or ground staff. On arrival, these passengers were examined by public health officials and found to not be suspected cases. All other passengers on these flights were observed and no suspected cases were identified.

Border and public health staff at the airport would like to thank the travelling public for their patience while these processes are carried out.

Auckland Regional Public Health staff are today contact tracing passengers from Air New Zealand flight NZ1, which arrived from Los Angeles at 0500 on Saturday. NZ1 carried students from Rangitoto College. Ten people from this party have been confirmed as having Influenza A and their test results are en route to Melbourne for further analysis.

Results from the initial screening swabs taken from three Northcote College students, whose party travelled on NZ5, are expected this afternoon. If these prove to be positive for Influenza A, other passengers on that flight will be contact traced.

We are also aware that some people have contacted their GPs about influenza symptoms after international travel. We have no further information on this at this time.

The Ministry continues to be in close contact with the WHO to monitor the international situation.

It is anticipated a further press conference will be held later this afternoon and a time for this will be advised. Updated information, including previous media releases, travel health advisories and New Zealand's pandemic response plan are available on the Ministry of Health website.

Members of the public who have travelled to Mexico or North America in the last fortnight should contact Healthline (0800 611 116) for information regarding the situation. They should seek medical advice if they are displaying flu-like symptoms.

ENDS

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