Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Fewer flu cases 'temporary dip'
The Dominion Post
Last updated 05:00 05/08/2009
The number of flu patients visiting Wellington GPs has dipped for the first time since the swine flu pandemic began, but health officials say it is too early to tell whether the outbreak has peaked.
The national general practice sentinel surveillance system shows a general drop in consultation rates for flu in the week to Sunday.
However, not all district health boards followed this trend and rates remain nearly three times higher than the winter flu peak recorded in the past two years.
In the Taranaki, MidCentral, Wairarapa, South Canterbury, Canterbury, Otago and Southland health board regions, there was an increase in GP consultations for flu.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said it was too soon to determine whether this was a temporary dip or the start of a continuing fall.
Figures suggest that in Auckland and Wellington, which were hit hard and early by swine flu, the pandemic could be waning, but this could simply be part of a normal fluctuation, Mr Ryall said.
Swine flu is confirmed to have killed 14 people, another eight people had the virus when they died but it is not yet known if that is what killed them, and the coroner is investigating a further 16 suspected fatal cases.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2720479/Fewer-flu-cases-temporary-dip
The Dominion Post
Last updated 05:00 05/08/2009
The number of flu patients visiting Wellington GPs has dipped for the first time since the swine flu pandemic began, but health officials say it is too early to tell whether the outbreak has peaked.
The national general practice sentinel surveillance system shows a general drop in consultation rates for flu in the week to Sunday.
However, not all district health boards followed this trend and rates remain nearly three times higher than the winter flu peak recorded in the past two years.
In the Taranaki, MidCentral, Wairarapa, South Canterbury, Canterbury, Otago and Southland health board regions, there was an increase in GP consultations for flu.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said it was too soon to determine whether this was a temporary dip or the start of a continuing fall.
Figures suggest that in Auckland and Wellington, which were hit hard and early by swine flu, the pandemic could be waning, but this could simply be part of a normal fluctuation, Mr Ryall said.
Swine flu is confirmed to have killed 14 people, another eight people had the virus when they died but it is not yet known if that is what killed them, and the coroner is investigating a further 16 suspected fatal cases.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/2720479/Fewer-flu-cases-temporary-dip
