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Suspected swine flu death reported in Northland
Updated at 12:26pm on 28 July 2010
The Medical Officer of Health in Northland has reported the first suspected swine flu death in the region.
A man, 51, who died suddenly this month was found to have the virus, and his death has been referred to the coroner.
Dr Jonathan Jarman says the man had an underlying health condition.
There have been only two confirmed cases of swine flu in Northland.
Dr Jarman says he has been asked about the safety of open casket tangi practices, where the deceased person had the H1N1 virus.
he says the virus does not survive long after a person's death and there is no reason why mourners should not touch or hold the tupapaku, as long as they wash their hands afterwards.
He says the risk of influenza in large group settings like tangi, is catching the bug from someone else.
Copyright ? 2010 Radio New Zealand
Updated at 12:26pm on 28 July 2010
The Medical Officer of Health in Northland has reported the first suspected swine flu death in the region.
A man, 51, who died suddenly this month was found to have the virus, and his death has been referred to the coroner.
Dr Jonathan Jarman says the man had an underlying health condition.
There have been only two confirmed cases of swine flu in Northland.
Dr Jarman says he has been asked about the safety of open casket tangi practices, where the deceased person had the H1N1 virus.
he says the virus does not survive long after a person's death and there is no reason why mourners should not touch or hold the tupapaku, as long as they wash their hands afterwards.
He says the risk of influenza in large group settings like tangi, is catching the bug from someone else.
Copyright ? 2010 Radio New Zealand
