New Zealand is experiencing a normal flu season to date
Ministry of Health statement, August 6,
2015
New Zealand is experiencing a normal flu season to date.
Latest surveillance data from ESR indicates cases in 2015 are just above a moderate level, and may move higher yet.
However the rate of influenza like illness is, per 100,000 of population, only a little of a quarter of the way towards what would be considered a severe epidemic.
The acting Director of Public Health, Dr Stewart Jessamine, says after two mild years, in 2013 and 2014, this is much more like an average flu season.
"Obviously it is possible the season has yet to peak, although the rate of growth in cases did ease somewhat in the last week. Weekly monitoring means we can soon pick up any change in the situation.
"It's important to note that New Zealand health authorities are well used to experiencing the pressures that even a moderate flu season can impose. The annual influenza vaccination programme and district health board preparedness activities occur well in advance of the influenza season."
Dr Jessamine says some parts of the country may be experiencing higher rates than others, including variation between the A strain and B strain.
"The symptoms experienced are the same for either strain. Influenza is a serious virus and can be life-threatening, especially for people who already have existing serious health conditions."
Both influenza strains circulating are covered by the vaccine used in New Zealand this year.
Dr Jessamine emphasises the annual flu vaccination campaign is running until the end of August, and people should get themselves vaccinated if they had not done so.
The campaign has already reached its target of immunising 1.2 million New Zealanders with the influenza vaccine this year.
Dr Jessamine says immunisation is the best protection but there are some simple rules that people can follow to help themselves and others.
• If you are
worried about your own or another person’s symptoms or
have underlying health condition that makes you vulnerable
to severe illness, you should call the Healthline on 0800
611 116 or your GP for further
advice.
•
• Prevent the spread of illness by
ensuring everyone covers their mouth and nose with tissues
when coughing and sneezing. If there are no tissues
available, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve – not
your hands. Remember to wash your hands
afterwards.
•
• Encourage everyone to wash their
hands regularly. Clean hands are really important in
preventing the spread of winter viruses. Wash hands for at
least 20 seconds with soap and warm water and dry them for
20 seconds with a dry towel or paper
towel.
•
• And clean surfaces that are touched a
lot (door handles, bench tops, toilet and bathroom areas).
One of the most effective and cheapest disinfecting
solutions to clean these surfaces is a solution of household
bleach and water.
•
You can read more about
influenza at:
http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/conditions-and-treatments/diseases-and-illnesses/influenza
ends