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Study to test pandemic influenza immunity

Media Release
4 November 2009

Study to test pandemic influenza immunity

A study investigating the level of immunity New Zealanders have to pandemic influenza (H1N1) will get underway this month.

Blood samples will be taken from 2500 people to see who has been exposed to pandemic influenza and developed immunity to it.

This information will be used to establish how many people are still at risk of contracting the illness.

The study is being undertaken by Environmental Science and Research (ESR) on behalf of the Ministry of Health,

Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Jacobs, says the health sector needs to find out what proportion of the population has already developed immunity to the virus so it can plan more effectively for a possible second pandemic wave.

“We know that many people had a mild to moderate illness as a result of pandemic influenza this winter, but we need to get a clearer picture of the general level of immunity and how many people are still at risk. This is because the smaller the proportion of New Zealanders infected so far, the higher the chance of a significant second wave happening in the future.

“This is an important study. We hope people will agree to take part in it if they are asked to do so,” says Dr Jacobs. “And people who take part will of course get to find out their own test result”.

A two week pilot study is expected to begin within the next few days at a single practice in the Hutt Valley. It will be followed by a nationwide study that will run from later in November until March next year.

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People randomly selected from participating general practices throughout the country will be asked to take part.

The final report is expected in May.

Questions and Answers

Why is this study necessary?
Health authorities need to find out how many New Zealanders have already developed immunity to pandemic influenza (H1N1) 09 to plan what to do in the event of a second pandemic wave. It is important to find out the extent of infection so that plans for vaccination and anti-viral treatment can be made.

What will the study look at?
The study will look at the prevalence of antibodies (immunity) in the population as a whole, and in groups that may be targeted for specific health interventions, including frontline health workers, Maori and Pacific populations and younger age groups. We know that many people have already been exposed to the virus, and having been infected will have developed immunity. Many of these people will have been sick as a result of the infection, but it’s likely that some people will have been infected without even realising it.

What is involved in the study?
People taking part in the study will be asked to fill in a brief questionnaire about their own health, particularly in relation to influenza-like illnesses.
They will then be contacted by the general practice and asked to have a blood test. This involves going to either their GP or a medical laboratory to have a small sample of blood taken.

Who can take part?
People will be selected at random from the registers of participating general practices and asked to take part in the study. Infants and young people aged under 16 years need consent from their parents or guardians if they wish to take part.

Can I ask to take part?
No. Participants will be chosen randomly from the registers of carefully selected general practices to provide a representative sample of the New Zealand population.

Do I have to take part if I am asked to?
No. Participation in the study is voluntary. There will be no cost to take part, and participants will be given a $10 grocery voucher in recognition of their help with the study.

What happens to the blood sample?
The blood sample will be sent to the Environmental Science and Research (ESR) National Influenza Centre at Wallaceville, Upper Hutt. The sample will be tested for evidence of exposure to pandemic influenza (H1N1) 09. Each sample is stored under a special code so participants cannot be identified. The samples will be stored for up to 10 years. Blood samples may have influenza-related retests during the storage period. All blood samples will be appropriately disposed of after 10 years.


Will people taking part be told the results of their blood test?
Yes. Individual results are confidential and will be provided to participants by the GP. GPs will receive test results within 20 working days of a sample being taken.

Will the identity of participants remain confidential?
Participants will be asked to supply contact information including their name, aged, name, sex and home address so they can be contacted and given their test results. The study reports will contain nothing that can identify individuals who took part. All study records are confidential and will be stored securely. Information will only be accessed by researchers working on the study.

Will the results of the study be made public?
Overall results of the study will be provided to health authorities, published in medical journals and made available to the local community.

ENDS

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