(H1N1) Swine Flu Update 39. May 15

Media Release
12:30pm, Friday 15 May 2009

Update 39 - Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

New Zealand situation –Updated numbers

The number of confirmed and probable cases reported to the Ministry of Health as at 12:30pm today are:

Nine confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) – The increase from yesterday (seven) is due to the laboratory confirmation of two probable cases as influenza A (H1N1) infections.
- 10 probable cases – (down from 12 yesterday).

The two new confirmed cases are a member of the original Rangitoto College party and a passenger on the same NZ1 flight as the Rangitoto College party that arrived on 25 April 2009.

All confirmed and probable cases, including the two that have just been confirmed, have been treated and have fully recovered.

40 suspected cases – (down from 41 yesterday.)

Numbers of suspected cases fluctuate as more people with symptoms arriving from affected areas are assessed (treated and isolated), and as laboratory testing rules out some suspected cases.

There are currently about nine people in isolation – unchanged since yesterday. Exact numbers are not currently available and the numbers of people in isolation vary according to when they complete 72 hours of the five-day course of Tamiflu.

International Update from the World Health Organisation

As of 06:00 GMT, 14 May 2009, 33 countries have officially reported 6497 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection.

Mexico has reported 2446 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 60 deaths. The United States has reported 3352 laboratory confirmed human cases, including three deaths. Canada has reported 389 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death. Costa Rica has reported eight laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Brazil (8), China (4), Colombia (7), Cuba (1), Denmark (1), El Salvador (4), Finland (2), France (14), Germany (12), Guatemala (3), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (4), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (7), Norway (2), Panama (29), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (100), Sweden (2), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2), and the United Kingdom (71).

The WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus.

The WHO recommends that individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

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

This information can be attributed to Dr Mark Jacobs, Director of Public Health

ENDS

© Scoop Media