Sally Furniss
Well-known member
New drug purchased to tackle swine flu
Fri, 01 May 2009 1:51p.m.
The Government has purchased a new drug to combat swine flu and increased its existing vaccine order as possible swine flu cases in New Zealand continue to grow.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said at a press conference held this morning that 125,000 courses of Relenza, an anti-viral agent similar to Tamiflu, had been ordered.
The drug is taken as a puffer instead of capsules like Tamiflu.
Officials also ruled out referring to swine flu as ?influenza A (H1N1)? after the WHO changed the official name following complaints from countries whose pork exports had been damaged.
Mr Ryall said it was important to use a term the public understood.
New Zealand has three confirmed swine flu cases, 136 suspected cases and 401 people in isolation being treated with Tamiflu.
Fri, 01 May 2009 1:51p.m.
The Government has purchased a new drug to combat swine flu and increased its existing vaccine order as possible swine flu cases in New Zealand continue to grow.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said at a press conference held this morning that 125,000 courses of Relenza, an anti-viral agent similar to Tamiflu, had been ordered.
The drug is taken as a puffer instead of capsules like Tamiflu.
Officials also ruled out referring to swine flu as ?influenza A (H1N1)? after the WHO changed the official name following complaints from countries whose pork exports had been damaged.
Mr Ryall said it was important to use a term the public understood.
New Zealand has three confirmed swine flu cases, 136 suspected cases and 401 people in isolation being treated with Tamiflu.