Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update 73

Media Release
4.00 pm, Saturday 13 June 2009

Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update 73

New Zealand situation

Cases of the new influenza A (H1N1) swine flu virus arising in the community have been anticipated and have come as no surprise to the team leading New Zealand's response to the pandemic.   We've seen widespread community transmission in many countries overseas, particularly in Victoria, Australia where there are now over a thousand cases in one state.   In New Zealand we are still very much in "containment" phase, and the public can have confidence that staff working across the health sector are pulling out all the stops to delay its spread.

The handful of cases in Wellington with no apparent link to international travel are being managed in the community by public health staff. As with most of the other cases, these people are being cared for at home and recovering well.  For most people with symptoms, the severity of the illness is no worse than the usual winter flu that circulates at this time of the year.  

In most cases, people with influenza can safely recover at home and will not need to see their GP or emergency clinic.  However, people should  seek medical advice when necessary, especially if their condition worsens.  Seeking medical advice is particularly important for people with underlying medical problems who are at higher risk of complications from influenza.

If you have recently travelled and develop influenza symptoms, it is still important that you phone for medical advice - Healthline 0800 611 116 or your own GP.   Don't turn up at the doctor's rooms or emergency department, as you can spread the virus to other people.

The Ministry of Health will be advising GPs, medical centres and emergency departments in the Wellington region to be prepared to see additional cases.

The numbers

The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is now 43, up from 34 yesterday. The cumulative total of probable cases is 18, down from 25 yesterday.

There are nine new confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) today.

There are five in Wellington, two in Christchurch, one in Auckland and one in Waikato.  Further details about these cases are not available at this time.  The majority are linked to international travel or previously confirmed cases, with some still under investigation

All the new cases are being treated at home with Tamiflu. Close contacts of the new confirmed cases are being traced and will be treated with Tamiflu and asked to stay in isolation at home.  

Reflecting the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a global pandemic, the Ministry of Health has moved its pandemic response status to Phase 6 - 6.2 Code Yellow.  Phase 6 in our plan is defined by having increased and substantial transmission overseas.

The New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan can be accessed at:: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/nz-influenza-pandemic-action-plan-2006

Update from Auckland

Three of the patients from the renal ward at Auckland City Hospital (Ward 71) have been discharged today. They will receive appropriate follow up care. The ward remains closed for admissions, with restricted access for visitors, and patients continue to be monitored.
 
One of the two children admitted to Auckland's Starship Hospital with respiratory illness has been discharged, and will complete the course of Tamiflu at home. The other child remains in a stable condition, and continues to be monitored and treated accordingly.

How to protect yourself and others

Anyone who has recently travelled overseas and is ill with influenza symptoms is advised to phone their GP or Healthline (0800 611 116) for medical advice. Do not turn up at a hospital or medical centre before doing this as you can spread germs to other people.

Signs and symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also experience diarrhea and vomiting.

Hand hygiene is still the single most effective measure in protecting yourself. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.

Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread this way.

Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette. This means covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and disposing of the tissue in a lined rubbish bin with a lid or plastic bag.

Sick people should stay home until they are well, rather than going to school or work. Try to avoid contact with sick people and reduce time spent in crowded settings. If you become sick, stay home for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep you from infecting others.  You should seek medical advice if necessary (by phone in the first instance) if your condition worsens.  This is particularly important for people with underlying medical conditions who are at greater risk of developing complications from influenza.

International Update from the World Health Organization

Yesterday WHO announced a pandemic phase 6 – the highest phase - which means there is global spread of the virus, but it does not mean the disease is severe.

12 June 2009 -- As of 07:00 GMT, 12 June 2009, 74 countries have officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 145 deaths.

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given in the following table and map.
Map of the spread of Influenza A(H1N1): number of laboratory confirmed cases and deaths [png 203kb]

As at 6pm on 12 June, the number of confirmed cases in Australia was 1391, with 1011 of these cases in Victoria.

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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