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http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/2510648/Swine-flu-spreading-everywhere
Swine flu spreading 'everywhere'
By KIM THOMAS - The Press
Last updated 05:00 18/06/2009
Swine flu is now widespread in Canterbury, with the first two confirmed cases with no links to international travel.
The Ministry of Health last night was poised to increase its pandemic response phase from containment to management within the community.
Concern was also growing overseas that the virus could mutate into a more deadly form.
Brazil's Adolfo Lutz Bacteriological Institute last night said researchers had isolated a new strain of the influenza A (H1N1) virus in a Sao Paulo patient.
Christchurch virologist Dr Lance Jennings said it was always expected the virus would mutate, and history showed it typically became stronger and caused greater mortality.
The total number of Canterbury cases was 39. Nationwide, there were 127 confirmed cases.
Three Rimutaka Prison inmates were among the suspected cases.
Corrections Department health manager Bridget White said the inmates had been isolated in their cells.
Other inmates in the unit, which was believed to house about 50, had been segregated from the rest of the prison.
Canterbury medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey said general practices tested people with influenza randomly to check the spread of the seasonal virus.
Two swine flu cases with no connection to international travellers were confirmed via this process this week, he said.
Neither case had any connection to the Samoan community, which had the majority of cases so far, he said.
This meant the virus had a foothold in the general community, Humphrey said.
"We don't know where it is [the source of infection]. It's everywhere ... your colleague might have it or the lady at the dairy down the road."
Humphrey said health authorities' approach to the virus was likely to change this week.
Instead of testing each person suspected of having the virus and placing people in quarantine, authorities would deal with only the most serious cases, he said. People would have to become more responsible for minimising the spread of the virus and protecting themselves.
However, health authorities would still focus on testing school pupils and requesting that those with the virus go into quarantine.
Globally, almost 36,000 swine flu cases have been confirmed, including 163 deaths.
Swine flu spreading 'everywhere'
By KIM THOMAS - The Press
Last updated 05:00 18/06/2009
Swine flu is now widespread in Canterbury, with the first two confirmed cases with no links to international travel.
The Ministry of Health last night was poised to increase its pandemic response phase from containment to management within the community.
Concern was also growing overseas that the virus could mutate into a more deadly form.
Brazil's Adolfo Lutz Bacteriological Institute last night said researchers had isolated a new strain of the influenza A (H1N1) virus in a Sao Paulo patient.
Christchurch virologist Dr Lance Jennings said it was always expected the virus would mutate, and history showed it typically became stronger and caused greater mortality.
The total number of Canterbury cases was 39. Nationwide, there were 127 confirmed cases.
Three Rimutaka Prison inmates were among the suspected cases.
Corrections Department health manager Bridget White said the inmates had been isolated in their cells.
Other inmates in the unit, which was believed to house about 50, had been segregated from the rest of the prison.
Canterbury medical officer of health Alistair Humphrey said general practices tested people with influenza randomly to check the spread of the seasonal virus.
Two swine flu cases with no connection to international travellers were confirmed via this process this week, he said.
Neither case had any connection to the Samoan community, which had the majority of cases so far, he said.
This meant the virus had a foothold in the general community, Humphrey said.
"We don't know where it is [the source of infection]. It's everywhere ... your colleague might have it or the lady at the dairy down the road."
Humphrey said health authorities' approach to the virus was likely to change this week.
Instead of testing each person suspected of having the virus and placing people in quarantine, authorities would deal with only the most serious cases, he said. People would have to become more responsible for minimising the spread of the virus and protecting themselves.
However, health authorities would still focus on testing school pupils and requesting that those with the virus go into quarantine.
Globally, almost 36,000 swine flu cases have been confirmed, including 163 deaths.