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NZ - Swine flu 'may have peaked' in Canterbury

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  • NZ - Swine flu 'may have peaked' in Canterbury

    Swine flu 'may have peaked' in Canterbury

    <!-- UID: 05d369d848e7fd67aa1a6f658aebc01bad3222d0 AID: 2028558 C: 2009-08-07 12:07:59 U: 2009-08-07 12:08:21 P: 2009-08-07 13:00:23 --> Updated at 12:08pm on 7 August 2009

    Health authorities in Canterbury say the current wave of swine flu appears to have peaked there.

    Canterbury District Health Board says it is estimated about a quarter of the region's population has now had swine flu.

    The board says the number of people with swine flu is declining, and the flu centres that have operated in the region will be gradually closed over the next two weeks.

    While the number of cases has diminished, the virus hasn't gone away, the DHB says, and could come back in a second wave.

    The DHB says doctors will be consulted before the flu centres are closed to ensure they are able to deal with patients who still need treatment.

    The latest update from the national flu surveillance network shows a continuing decline in the number of people seeing their doctor. The highest levels of visits are recorded in Southland, Hutt Valley and Otago.


    Health authorities in Canterbury say the current wave of swine flu appears to have peaked there. The number of cases is diminishing and the flu centres will be closed over the next fortnight.

  • #2
    Re: NZ - Swine flu 'may have peaked' in Canterbury

    Chch swine flu centres to close doors

    Published: 6:55AM Tuesday August 11, 2009

    Chch swine flu centres to close doors (Source: Reuters)

    ReutersThe H1N1 flu virus (red) bears a disturbing resemblance to the virus strain that caused the 1918 flu pandemic

    * WATCH the video (1:44)

    All swine flu centres in Christchurch, bar one, are to be shut down.

    Only the central city clinic will remain open, as health officials say swine flu numbers in the region no longer warrant specific treatment centres.

    "We're probably dealing with a quarter, in terms of presentation to our flu centres, than what we were at peak," says Phil Schoeder of the Canterbury Pandemic Group.

    The Canterbury 0800 flu line will also close.

    People are still being advised to see their GPs, if they have any concerns and officials are warning it is quite likely that there will be another wave of infection.

    "But when that happens, whether that's weeks or months away, and how bad that possible second wave is, only time will tell," says Mark Jacobs of the Ministry of Health

    The Ministry says 41 people are in hospital with swine flu, including 15 in intensive care units.

    The total number of confirmed H1N1 cases nationwide is 2984.

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