Update 55 - Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

Update 55 - Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

The Ministry of Health has no plans to divert international Queenstown-bound flights through Christchurch, as reported by a media organisation today.

National Incident Controller at the Ministry of Health's National Health Coordination Centre Steve Brazier says, "We are confident with our screening procedures at the border and we are managing to contain the spread of Influenza A (H1N1) swine flu at this stage."

Steve Brazier says there have been effective screening procedures in place at Queenstown Airport over the last month and these will be enhanced as the ski season approaches.

However, Mr Brazier says as confirmed cases of swine flu in Australia increase, it will become harder and harder for New Zealand to contain the spread.

New Zealand situation

There have been no substantive changes to the New Zealand figures of confirmed or probable cases since May 15. The cumulative total of known past infections remains at nine, with all cases fully recovered. The cumulative total of probable cases remains at 10.

New Zealand figures of individuals suspected and in isolation will be updated on Tuesday 2 June. On Friday 29 May, there were 30 suspected cases and 23 people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu.

International Update from the World Health Organization

As of 06:00 GMT, 29 May 2009, 53 countries had officially reported 15,510 cases of Influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 99 deaths.

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given in the WHO website: http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_27a/en/index.html ) .

Regular updates on the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak are available on the WHO website on a regular basis (http://www.who.int) .

ENDS

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