Definitions used in New Zealand

[Sally Furniss]

DEFINITIONS

Isolation includes all cases and contacts in isolation or quarantine (but not people in hospital isolation). It refers to the number of cases, the actual number of people in isolation may be higher as it includes the people in the suspected category, plus their close family members.


Suspected is all people who display flu symptoms AND have travelled through areas of concern, or are contacts of cases.


Probable are all suspected cases that test positive for Influenza A all these cases are being treated as confirmed for the purposes of treatment.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10569707&pnum=0

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Definitions used in New Zealand

STILL CALLING IT SWINE FLU

New Zealand health officials do not plan to stop using the term "swine flu" despite the World Health Organisation changing the official name to "influenza A (H1N1)".

The World Health Organisation has officially adopted a new name for the outbreak - referring to the virus as "influenza A (H1N1)" - to appease beleaguered meat producers.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said at a press conference this morning that it was important to use a term the public understood.

"I've got no intention of changing how I'm referring to it."

Dr Jacobs said the Health Ministry would use the term the WHO asked it to in official communications. But he intended to use language recognised and understood by the wider community when he communicated with them.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2376777/Fourth-swine-flu-case

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: Definitions used in New Zealand

Case Definitions for Infection with Swine Flu

Tuesday, 5 May 2009, 11:42 am
Press Release: Ministry of Health

Case Definitions for Infection with Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus

Ministry of Health, NHCC, 28th April 2009, 1530 hrs

Confirmed case
A confirmed case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an acute respiratory illness with laboratory confirmed swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection by one or more of the following tests:

?real-time RT-PCR

?viral culture

?four-fold rise in swine influenza A(H1N1) virus specific neutralising Antibodies

Probable case
A probable case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an acute respiratory illness with an influenza test that is positive for influenza A, and has developed symptoms within 7 days of travel to an area of concern

OR

A probable case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an acute respiratory illness with an influenza test that is positive for influenza A, and is considered to be a close contact of a probable or confirmed case

Suspected case
A suspected case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an acute respiratory illness who has developed symptoms within 7 days of travel to an area of concern

OR

A suspected case of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection is defined as a person with an acute respiratory illness who is considered to be a close contact of a probable or confirmed case.

Close contact
Close contact is defined as having cared for, lived with, or had direct contact with respiratory secretions or bodily fluids of a probable or confirmed case.

Acute respiratory illness
For the purpose of these case definitions, an acute respiratory illness is defined as:

?Recent onset of at least 2 of the following:

1. Rhinorrhoea or nasal congestion

2. Sore throat

3. Cough

4. Fever or feverishness

OR

?Influenza-like illness: fever >37.8?C plus cough or sore throat

Area of concern
An area of concern is any country so defined by the Ministry of Health

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0905/S00043.htm