Announcement

**Sally Furniss** · July 3, 2009, 08:55 PM

Re: 2 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

Two New Zealand men have almost certainly died from swine flu.

The chief coroner's office says autopsy and virology results suggest a "strong probability" the deaths of a 40-year-old Christchurch man and a 19-year-old man from Waikato were due to the H1N1 virus.

The men both died within the last week.

It is understood the Christchurch man was a smoker but the teenager was considered healthy and died at home.

They are the first deaths to be attributed to the virus in New Zealand

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http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/two-nz-men-die-swine-flu-2827459

**Sally Furniss** · July 3, 2009, 08:58 PM

Re: 2 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

First 'probable' swine flu deaths in New Zealand
Sat, 04 Jul 2009 1:34p.m.

Two New Zealanders are suspected to have died from the H1N1 swine flu virus.

Chief Coroner Neil MacLean told 3 News that autopsies on a Hamilton teenager and a Christchurch man in his 40s showed there was a 'strong probability' that swine flu was a major factor in their deaths..

However Mr MacLean says they will not be able to confirm H1N1 as the cause of their deaths until they receive test results in around six weeks.

The latest figures from the World Health Organisation show that there have been 382 deaths from H1N1 worldwide and nearly 90,000 confirmed cases.

3 News

http://www.3news.co.nz/News/NationalNews/First-probable-swine-flu-deaths-in-New-Zealand/tabid/423/articleID/111235/cat/64/Default.aspx

**kiwibird** · July 3, 2009, 09:59 PM

Re: 2 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

Three NZ deaths linked to swine flu

Updated at 2:28pm on 4 July 2009

Three deaths in New Zealand in the last week are being linked to swine flu.

The Ministry of Health says a young girl, with underlying medical conditions, died on Saturday in Wellington Hospital. She had earlier tested positive to swine flu.

On Thursday, a 42-year-old man died in Christchurch, and a 19-year old man died last Sunday in Hamilton.

Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean said preliminary tests on the Christchurch and Waikato cases indicated a high probability of the H1N1 virus being involved.

"Autopsies have been carried out indicating a likelihood of H1N1 and subsequent virology tests confirm that to a high degree of probability," he said.

"(We) can't say 100%, but so high that it's unlikely that will change."

The man in Christchurch had underlying underlying medical conditions, a Ministry of Health statement said on Saturday, but it is not known at this stage whether the Hamilton teenager had underlying medical conditions.

The ministry says the total number of people who have swine flu, or have had the virus at some stage, is 945.

Copyright ? 2009 Radio New Zealand

Three NZ swine flu-related deaths confirmed

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/07/04/1245bb485e6a?FORM=ZZNR4

The country's first swine flu-related deaths have been confirmed. Three people - a 19-year-old man from Waikato, a 42-year old man from Christchurch and a young girl from Wellington - are the first fatalities of the H1N1 virus.

**kiwibird** · July 4, 2009, 01:07 AM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

On the local television news report, which has not been updated online yet, the reporter claims experts are not expecting the flu season here to peak until mid August, perhaps even late August.

**kiwibird** · July 4, 2009, 03:29 AM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

Teen swine flu victim not diagnosed
Home ? News ? National
Sat, 4 Jul 2009
News: National
Click photo to enlarge
A photo of 19 year old Zachary Wilson of Hamilton, who died last week after contacting swine flu. Credit:NZPA / Wayne Drought.
A photo of 19 year old Zachary Wilson of Hamilton, who died last week after contacting swine flu. Credit:NZPA / Wayne Drought.
A Hamilton teenager with swine flu died at home without being diagnosed with the illness.

He was one three New Zealanders to have died in the past week with swine flu more than likely to have been the cause, the Ministry of Health confirmed today.

Zachary Wilson, 19, had been ill for three or four days but had not been to hospital before he died last Sunday, said Waikato District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble.

"What's become apparent with this situation is how quickly this can develop, and somebody can present with what looks like a common cold that may progress to more like influenza and then it can rapidly become something very serious." Some efforts were made to treat Mr Wilson's symptoms, although no further details were made available.

Mr Wilson's family, who had been devastated by his death, wanted people to be aware how quickly someone's condition could deteriorate, Dr Dumble told reporters.

Given the wide spread of swine flu, health authorities were focusing on treating people who were sick rather than routine testing.

Mr Wilson's case of swine flu was discovered following an autopsy.

The coroner would examine if any other medical conditions had played a part in Mr Wilson's death, she said.

However, he had a history of asthma which, along with other factors such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, was more likely to cause complications.

Although people had been advised to stay at home if possible to avoid spreading the illness and adding to pressure on the health system, anyone whose condition worsened should seek medical attention, Dr Dumble said.

Some deaths were expected as a result of swine flu, she said.

"It's really important that people are aware that influenza is a serious illness and it does kill." Signs to look watch out for included a rapidly worsening condition, a difficulty being woken, confusion or irritability, a fever of about 38.3 degrees, fits, and not keeping down fluids.

Chief Coroner Neil MacLean said a 42-year-old man with underlying medical conditions had also died on Thursday in Christchurch.

It was "strongly probable" that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) was a major factor in the deaths of both men, he said.

Meanwhile, Capital and Coast District Health Board said a young girl with underlying medical conditions died this morning in Wellington Hospital. She had earlier tested positive to swine flu.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said he, along with the ministry, expressed sincere condolences to each of the families involved.

Swine flu continued to spread throughout the community and would be around for some time, but there was no cause for alarm, Mr Ryall said.

Director of Public Health Mark Jacobs said there was no need for New Zealand health authorities to change their management approach at this stage, but vigilance would remain.

"For most New Zealanders, swine flu will be a mild illness, but in some instances, the infection can cause more severe illness and in a few tragic instances, death," he said.

As of today, the total number of confirmed cases in New Zealand was 945, up from 912 yesterday.

Teen swine flu victim not diagnosed

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/64142/teen-swine-flu-victim-not-diagnosed

A Hamilton teenager with swine flu died at home without being diagnosed with the illness.

**Sally Furniss** · July 4, 2009, 07:35 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

More NZ deaths linked to swine flu 'inevitable'

 Updated at 12:09pm on 5 July 2009
Further swine flu-related deaths are almost inevitable if the current rate of community transfer continues, the Ministry of Health says.
The deaths of three people in New Zealand in the last week have been strongly linked to the H1N1 virus.
Zachary Wilson, 19, had flu-like symptoms before he died at home in Hamilton on Sunday 28 June. It is understood he had suffered from asthma but his medical background remains unclear.
On Thursday, a 42-year-old man, who had underlying medical conditions, died in Christchurch.
On Saturday, a young girl, also with underlying medical conditions died in Wellington Hospital, the Ministry of Health says. She had earlier tested positive to swine flu.
Director of Public Health Dr Mark Jacobs says a third or more of New Zealanders could catch swine flu before the pandemic is over, but most will have a mild to moderate illness.
"If we keep on seeing a lot more community spread, which is very likely, then I think it is almost inevitable that we will see some more deaths," he says.
Dr Jacobs says New Zealand records about 400 deaths a year from seasonal influenza.

Five seriously ill in hospital

Five people are seriously ill with swine flu and are in intensive care units around the country.
One of the latest cases is a woman who was admitted to Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit on Friday, and is now in a critical condition.
A 30-year-old woman who has been in the unit for several weeks remains in a serious but stable condition.
A woman in her early twenties remains in a critical condition in Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital's intensive care unit, but a man who was in the unit yesterday has now been transferred to a ward.
Two people remain in a critical condition in Auckland Hospital's intensive care unit with swine flu.

Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Helpline, hospitals busy after swine flu deaths

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/07/05/1245bb57733f

Hundreds of people called a free healthline and one hospital struggled to deal with an influx of patients worried about swine flu, as details emerged over the weekend of New Zealand's first deaths linked to the virus.

**Sally Furniss** · July 4, 2009, 10:40 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

New Zealand has had its first swine flu deaths following confirmation that three people who have died in the past week had the virus.

Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, said on Saturday that a 19-year-old man died last Sunday in Hamilton and a 42-year-old man died on Thursday in Christchurch.

MacLean said it was still unknown whether the Hamilton man had underlying medical conditions, but such conditions were apparent with the Christchurch case.

It was "strongly probable" that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) was a major factor in the deaths of both men.

The Hamilton victim has been named as 19-year-old Zachary Wilson who died at home.

Meanwhile, Capital and Coast District Health Board said a young girl with underlying medical conditions died on Saturday morning in Wellington Hospital. The eight-year-old had earlier tested positive to swine flu.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said he, along with the ministry, expressed sincere condolences to the each of the families involved.

"What it demonstrates to the rest of us is the seriousness of this pandemic and why we must continie a strong public health response."
Ryall said swine flu continued to spread throughout the community and would be around for some time, but there was no cause for alarm.

Director of Public Health Mark Jacobs said there was no need for New Zealand health authorities to change their management approach at this stage, but vigilance would remain.

"For most New Zealanders, swine flu will be a mild illness, but in some instances, the infection can cause more severe illness and in a few tragic instances, death," he said.

More deaths inevitable

Officials say more deaths will inevitably follow because swine flu has now spread its tentacles nationwide.

"Most of the flu in Wellington now the clinicians tell us is swine flu but in other parts of the country it might be half and half," says Jacobs.
The Christchurch City flu assessment centre is one of several run off its feet.

Dr Mick Ozimek of the Canterbury Primary Pandemic Group says up to 170 people have been coming through the centre on some days.
As of Saturday, the total number of confirmed cases in New Zealand was 945, up from 912 on Friday.

But health officials say the real figure could be 10 to 20 times higher because few suspected cases are now being swabbed and tested to save time and health resources.

And the public are listening to DHB advice, with most taking themselves home to get over it in isolation instead of going to see their doctor.

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http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/three-nz-deaths-linked-swine-flu-2827459

**kiwibird** · July 5, 2009, 05:43 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

Stuff

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2566929/Swine-flu-death-details-kept-secret

Swine flu death details kept secret
Cantabrians are being kept in the dark about the region's first swine-flu death.

Health officials reported a 42-year-old Christchurch man who died on Thursday was one of three people in the country whose deaths have been linked to swine flu.

The other two were Hamilton teenager Zachary Wilson, 19, who had asthma and died on June 28, and an eight-year-old girl, reported to have cerebral palsy, who died in Wellington Hospital on Saturday.

A Health Ministry spokeswoman referred all questions about the Christchurch man to the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) who said no details would be released other than its press statement. It gave the man's age and said he had "underlying medical conditions".

CDHB spokeswoman Michele Hider said the man's family had requested privacy.

She would not say if the man was hospitalised, what suburb he came from, how severe his medical condition was, or what treatment he received.

Canterbury had 234 confirmed cases of swine flu yesterday, with the national number climbing to 961

**DazzaMc** · July 5, 2009, 07:24 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

More possible swine flu deaths
06/07/2009 11:08:01

The Chief Coroner is investigating whether three more New Zealanders have died from swine flu.

There are already three confirmed deaths from the virus, but all three victims had underlying medical conditions.

Chief Coroner Neil MacLean says there has been a number of false alarms, but they are remaining vigilant.

"The police, everybody, are more alert to just checking out any indication of flu-like symptoms ... and if we become alert to that, then we make sure that's passed on to the coronial pathologists."

Judge MacLean says if the pathologist reports back with a high probability of H1N1, the samples will be sent away for analysis.

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http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=159747

**Sally Furniss** · July 5, 2009, 08:11 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

Welcome and thank you DazzaMc

**DazzaMc** · July 5, 2009, 08:32 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1 deaths in New Zealand

Youre welcome Sally. I'm always about - but I'm busy mantaining some threads on another board. If you dont mind I might start throwing breaking news up here as well...

**kiwibird** · July 5, 2009, 09:05 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1v deaths in New Zealand

Welcome DazzaMc. More hands make light work!

**Sally Furniss** · July 5, 2009, 09:08 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1v deaths in New Zealand

Yes, thank you Dazza

**Sally Furniss** · July 5, 2009, 09:18 PM

Re: 3 suspected A/H1N1v deaths in New Zealand

Statement from Christchurch family re: swine flu

Monday, 6 July 2009, 2:05 pm
Press Release: Christchurch District Health Board  Statement from Christchurch family
The family of the Christchurch man who died last Thursday from suspected swine flu has asked the Canterbury District Health Board to release the following statement.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of our son and father who had been unwell for some time with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease before he died with the flu. He was 42 years old and died at home.

We are a very private family and do not wish any further details to be released about him.

We have specifically asked that the media do not intrude on our grief and we ask that this be respected.”

ENDS

Statement from Christchurch family re: swine flu | Scoop News

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0907/S00025.htm

The family of the Christchurch man who died last Thursday from suspected swine flu has asked the Canterbury District Health Board to release the following statement.

Announcement

NZ - 35 deaths from A/H1N1

NZ - 35 deaths from A/H1N1

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