Influenza (H1N1) 09 Swine Flu - Update 166
Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 Swine Flu - Update 166
During the week 7 - 13 December the number of New Zealanders visiting a doctor with an influenza-like illness remains low. The rates of pandemic influenza are still at a low level in New Zealand, however, with the holiday season upon us, and more people travelling internationally, we would expect to see small local outbreaks over the coming months.
If you're travelling overseas during the
holidays, check for the latest advice at
www.safetravel.govt.nz. This includes making adequate
preparations prior to travel, consulting your doctor about
any medicines to take with you, and taking protective
measures such as regular handwashing. New Zealanders with
flu-like symptoms are advised to consider delaying their
overseas travel until they are well.
Vaccine
update
Based on the northern hemisphere experience, a resurgence of pandemic influenza (H1N1 09) seems likely in New Zealand late in March with a possible peak in late April/early May 2010.
The 2010 seasonal vaccine will
include the pandemic strain (as well as two other strains of
influenza) however, the vaccine may not be available until
mid to late March. The Ministry of Health is in close
contact with the vaccine manufacturers to ensure supplies
will be available as soon as possible. Because of the
likely delay in the arrival of the seasonal vaccine, in
February 2010 the Ministry of Health will offer vaccination
with a monovalent (single H1N1 strain) vaccine to frontline
health care workers and people at higher risk of developing
complications from pandemic influenza.
Weekly
consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New
Zealand, 2007-2009
Source: Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Influenza Weekly Update 2009/47
Sentinel surveillance data from the Institute
of Environmental Science and Research shows the current
level of pandemic influenza activity in New Zealand is below
baseline levels.
International situation
The World Health Organization reports that as of 18 December 2009, worldwide more than 208 countries and overseas territories and communities have reported laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including at least 10,582 deaths.
More information on the global progress of the pandemic is available on the WHO website: http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/
In the United States and Canada, overall levels of influenza-like illness have declined to near seasonal baseline levels. In Europe, widespread and active transmission of the virus continues, however it's declining in at least ten countries. High levels of influenza activity are reported in Eastern Europe, and Western and Central Asia. In East Asia, influenza transmission remains active however influenza transmission appears to be declining. The situation is similar in Japan and China.
Influenza transmission remains geographically widespread,
but appears to be declining in Central and Southern America.
It's active in much of Western and Central Asia and there is
evidence of pandemic virus circulation in most regions of
Africa. Pandemic influenza appears to be the predominant
influenza virus circulating in Northern and Eastern Africa,
with pandemic and seasonal viruses detected in West Africa.
ENDS