Roehl_JC
Moderator
Health officials are investigating if the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, caused a Tauranga woman's death.
SunLive understands Lee Roche died at Tauranga Hospital on June 26 and the cause is thought to be H1N1.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board medical officer of Health Phil Shoemack says he is aware of the case but there is no confirmed diagnosis at this stage.
"We are following up with the doctors involved in her care."
He says it is believed the woman may have died from H1N1 because she was suffering symptoms of the virus before her death.
"She died of an influenza type illness is my understanding, but further than that we don't have any more details at this stage."
Phil says they have learnt more about H1N1 and it's thought the virus attacks healthy adults, rather than those who are already vulnerable because of age or illness.
"With H1N1, it seems to be healthy adults who have a higher risk. People in their 30s, 40s and 50s, rather than people in their 70s, 80s and 90s.
"It would be fair to say that we know more about this particular virus. We know now that H1N1 is no more likely to cause significant illness than ordinary influenza viruses that we get every year."
Phil believes there were about 20 H1N1 deaths in New Zealand in 2009, but says there have been none recorded in the Bay of Plenty.
He believes the virus has become so widespread in New Zealand that about 70-80 per cent of influenza cases this winter will be H1N1.
http://www.sunlive.co.nz/15804a1.page
SunLive understands Lee Roche died at Tauranga Hospital on June 26 and the cause is thought to be H1N1.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board medical officer of Health Phil Shoemack says he is aware of the case but there is no confirmed diagnosis at this stage.
"We are following up with the doctors involved in her care."
He says it is believed the woman may have died from H1N1 because she was suffering symptoms of the virus before her death.
"She died of an influenza type illness is my understanding, but further than that we don't have any more details at this stage."
Phil says they have learnt more about H1N1 and it's thought the virus attacks healthy adults, rather than those who are already vulnerable because of age or illness.
"With H1N1, it seems to be healthy adults who have a higher risk. People in their 30s, 40s and 50s, rather than people in their 70s, 80s and 90s.
"It would be fair to say that we know more about this particular virus. We know now that H1N1 is no more likely to cause significant illness than ordinary influenza viruses that we get every year."
Phil believes there were about 20 H1N1 deaths in New Zealand in 2009, but says there have been none recorded in the Bay of Plenty.
He believes the virus has become so widespread in New Zealand that about 70-80 per cent of influenza cases this winter will be H1N1.
http://www.sunlive.co.nz/15804a1.page