NZ over 200 cases confirmed, early limited community transmission

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 10 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 10 cases confirmed

H1N1 Swine Flu - Update 59. 04.06.09
Thursday, 4 June 2009, 2:46 pm
Press Release: Ministry of Health

Media Release
1:30pm, Thursday 4 June 2009

Update 59 - Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

New Zealand situation

The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is 11. This is an increase of one since yesterday's update.

A new confirmed case was notified last night in Auckland - a passenger who arrived on Air NZ Flight NZ5 which arrived in Auckland from North America on 30 May 2009. This person and their close contacts, along with passengers who were seated in the two rows in front of and the two rows behind the case as well as the row the case was sitting in are being contacted and asked to stay in isolation at home while they are being treated with Tamiflu.
SEARCH NZ JOBS

The cumulative total of probable cases remains at 10 - unchanged since yesterday.

There are currently 66 suspected cases, up from 51 yesterday. The numbers of suspected cases fluctuate as more people with symptoms arriving from affected areas are assessed (treated and isolated), and as laboratory testing rules out some suspected cases.

There are 63 people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu. This is up from 54 since yesterday. The numbers of people in isolation vary according to when they complete 72 hours of the five-day course of Tamiflu.

We are watching with concern the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in Australia, particularly in the state of Victoria and some Melbourne schools. The continuing rise in the number of overseas cases notified to the World Health Organization and the sudden increase in the number of confirmed cases in our closest neighbour make it increasingly difficult to keep influenza A (H1N1) out of New Zealand.

All travellers, and particularly any school children returning from Melbourne, should keep a close watch for any flu symptoms. If you become unwell within 7 days of returning you should phone your GP or Healthline 0800 611 116 for medical advice.

Basic hygiene measures are also important for individuals, schools and organisations. These include staying at home if you are sick, handwashing, and covering coughs and sneezes.

Cruise Ship update

Staff from Auckland Regional Public Health met passengers from the Pacific Sun Cruise Ship when it docked in Auckland earlier this morning.

A New Zealand woman who boarded the ship in Brisbane, tested positive for Influenza on board the ship. Further tests are being conducted today to determine the type of influenza, but preliminary results suggest that it is likely to be seasonal influenza.

The woman has recovered and she, along with 12 close contacts have been asked to stay in isolation at home.

There were around 1700 passengers on board the ship. All have been given information on what to do if they become unwell with influenza-like symptoms in the next seven days ? phone a doctor or Healthline for advice 0800 611 116. Passengers have also completed Passenger Locator Forms, to make it easier for public health staff to contact them should the test results change the situation.

Awareness campaign

From this Saturday, the Ministry of Health will be increasing its messages to the public on influenza through information on radio, newspapers, posters at airports and billboards. This includes practical steps that people can take to help keep themselves and their families well over the winter, and reduce transmission of winter viruses including influenza, such as good personal hygiene (handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes) and staying at home if unwell. It also reminds people to make preparations for the likely future spread of Influenza A (H1N1) within New Zealand. This includes being able to look after themselves and families at home if they become unwell, having sufficient supplies of food, water and medicines, and preparing for the possibility that some schools may need to close for a time.


International Update from the World Health Organization

3 June 2009 -- As of 06:00 GMT, 3 June 2009, 66 countries have officially reported 19,273 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 117 deaths.

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given on the WHO website. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_06_03/en/index.html

Updates on the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak are available on the WHO website on a regular basis (http://www.who.int).


This information can be attributed to Dr Darren Hunt, Deputy Director of Public Health

ENDS

 

[Sally Furniss]

NZ - H1N1 maybe in South

NZ - H1N1 maybe in South

H1N1 maybe in South

By Hamish McNeilly on Fri, 5 Jun 2009
The Regions: Otago


Southern health officials have confirmed they are dealing with suspected cases of swine flu, with two patients now in quarantine or isolation.

Otago and Southland medical officer of health Dr Marion Poore said over the past week Public Health South had managed six suspected cases of swine flu (influenza A H1N1).

Results in last night revealed four of those cases were negative, and results on two more cases were expected tonight.

All the people involved were either tourists or New Zealanders returning home. None had arrived via Dunedin or Queenstown international airports, she said.

For the past six weeks, Public Health South staff and nurses have met all international flights to monitor passengers and would continue to do so, she said.

A surge in the number of Australian cases meant "we anticipate a surge of cases in both primary and secondary healthcare facilities in the coming weeks and are continuing to plan for this across Otago and Southland".

While it appeared the risk of human-to-human transmission was growing "there is no evidence this is happening in New Zealand".

The number of confirmed cases of swine flu increased by one yesterday to 11, following the arrival in Auckland of an infected person from North America.

The cumulative total of probable cases remained unchanged at 10, and there were now 66 suspected cases, up from 51 on Wednesday, the ministry said.

Sixty-three people were in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu, up from 54 since Wednesday.

"We are watching with concern the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in Australia, particularly in the state of Victoria and some Melbourne schools," said Darren Hunt, deputy director of public health.

"The continuing rise in the number of overseas cases notified to the World Health Organisation and the sudden increase in the number of confirmed cases in our closest neighbour make it increasingly difficult to keep influenza A H1N1 out of New Zealand."

The ministry is launching a campaign this weekend to increase awareness about how to keep swine flu at bay and how to prepare for its likely spread in the country.

Health officials have recommended people stock up on three to five days' worth of food and any medicines required.

Anyone showing symptoms should stay home and contact their doctor by phone, rather than risk infecting others.

As of Wednesday, 66 countries had officially reported 19,273 cases of swine flu, including 117 deaths, the World Health Organisation said.

In Australia, the number of affected people was doubling every two days and reached 502 confirmed cases on Wednesday.

 

[Sally Furniss]

NZ - First Canterbury case of Influenza A (H1N1)

NZ - First Canterbury case of Influenza A (H1N1)

First Canterbury case of Influenza A (H1N1)

Friday, 5 June 2009, 12:51 pm
Press Release: Canterbury District Health Board

In answer to questions from the media re the confirmed case of Influenza A (H1N1) in Canterbury - the person is a male aged 50 years.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0906/S00025.htm

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 11 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 11 cases confirmed

Swine flu fear has Gisborne house in isolation

Friday, 5 June 2009

A Gisborne household hosting two Australian visitors has been placed in isolation for 72 hours after all six people there developed flu-like symptoms, suspected to be the deadly Influenza A known as swine flu.

The group of five men and one woman, all from the same house, include two men from Sydney who contacted a Gisborne doctor yesterday afternoon after suffering flu-like symptoms.

Swabs were taken and all have been prescribed a course of Tamiflu, a health board spokeswoman said.

The two Sydney men had been determined as suspected Influenza A (H1N1) cases under the New Zealand Ministry of Health guidelines. The rest are being treated as contacts.

It could take some days for the results of the swabs to be known.

Medical Officer of Health Bruce Duncan said public health staff were identifying other people who had been in contact with members of the group.

The two men had been part of a performance group who visited Gisborne and were staying with relatives.

Three other people in the house were also exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

Dr Duncan said the men took the right action by contacting a GP by phone when they began exhibiting flu-like symptoms, rather than visiting the surgery.

"They took very thoughtful and considered actions by keeping themselves isolated from others," he said.

Good hand hygiene practices would always be the first line of defence against contracting the flu.

"The most important thing we can do to protect ourselves is regular and effective hand washing.

"When coughing or sneezing cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.

"Afterwards, promptly dispose of the tissue and wash your hands," said Dr Duncan.

Symptoms of influenza include -



- Sudden onset of illness.

- Fever above 38 degrees Celsius.

- Fatigue.

- Muscle pains.

- Runny nose/cough/sore throat.



In some cases, people also suffer vomiting and diarrhoea.

Anyone feeling unwell since returning from one of the affected areas or who has had contact with someone known to have Influenza A (H1N1) in the last seven days should stay at home and phone their GP for advice.

http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/Default.aspx?s=3&s1=2&id=11978

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 11 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 11 cases confirmed

H1N1) Swine Flu - Update 60
Friday, 5 June 2009, 1:51 pm
Press Release: Ministry of Health

Media Release
1:30pm, Friday 5 June 2009

Update 60 - Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

New Zealand situation

The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is now 12, up from 11 yesterday.

The new confirmed case is a passenger off Air NZ flight NZ5 which arrived from Los Angeles on 31 May 2009. This person and their close contacts are now in isolation at home and being treated with Tamiflu.

The cumulative total of probable cases is now 11, up from 10 yesterday. Details about the new probable case will be provided once that information comes to hand.

There are currently 58 suspected cases, down from 66 yesterday. The numbers of suspected cases fluctuate as more people with symptoms arriving from affected areas are assessed (treated and isolated), and as laboratory testing rules out some suspected cases.

There are 66 people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu. This is up from 63 yesterday. The numbers of people in isolation vary according to when they complete 72 hours of the five-day course of Tamiflu.

We are watching with concern the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in Australia, particularly in the state of Victoria and in some Melbourne schools. The continuing rise in the number of overseas cases notified to the World Health Organization and the sudden increase in the number of confirmed cases in our closest neighbour make it increasingly difficult to keep influenza A (H1N1) out of New Zealand.

The Ministry of Health will be reinforcing messages on reducing the spread of influenza through a public information campaign that starts this Saturday.

Radio and newspaper advertisements, posters at airports and billboards will outline the practical steps that people can take to reduce the spread of winter viruses including influenza.

These steps include staying home if unwell and increasing personal hygiene (covering coughs and sneezes and hand hygiene). The information campaign also advises the people to get prepared for the likely future spread of Influenza A (H1N1) in New Zealand.

These preparations can include having sufficient supplies of food, water and medicines at home to cover a period of illness and making childcare arrangements in case some schools may need to close temporarily.

Anyone who has recently travelled overseas and is ill with influenza symptoms is advised to phone their GP or Healthline (0800 611 116) for medical advice.

Cruise ship update

The woman who tested positive for Influenza A while on board a cruise ship travelling from Brisbane to Auckland has been cleared of having Influenza A (H1N1) swine flu.

Samples were re-tested at a laboratory in Auckland yesterday. The woman and her close contacts have been advised of this result and are now free to continue with their normal activities.

International Update from the World Health Organization

As of 06:00 GMT, 3 June 2009, 66 countries have officially reported 19,273 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 117 deaths. As at 5am, 5 June, Australia has reported 878 confirmed cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, up from 634 at 5am on 4 June.

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given on the WHO website.http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_06_03/en/index.html

Updates on the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak are available on the WHO website on a regular basis (http://www.who.int ) .

This information can be attributed to Dr Fran McGrath, Deputy Director of Public Health.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0906/S00027.htm

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ - First Canterbury case of Influenza A (H1N1)

Re: NZ - First Canterbury case of Influenza A (H1N1)

The first case of swine flu in Canterbury has been confirmed, bringing the number of confirmed cases in New Zealand to 12.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey says the man was a passenger on Flight NZ 5, which arrived in Auckland from Los Angeles on 31 May.

Dr Humphrey says the 50-year-old showed no flu symptoms until well after he arrived back in New Zealand and poses no threat to other passengers on the flight.

The man is quarantined at home with his family and has been given the drug Tamiflu.

Dr Humphrey says the man is suffering "unpleasant" flu symptoms, but is not seriously unwell.

New Zealand also has 11 probable cases of swine flu and 66 people in quarantine in total.

Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/06/05/1245b5622c78

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 12 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 12 cases confirmed

Auckland child NZ's 13th confirmed swine flu case
Fri, 05 Jun 2009 9:13p.m.

An Auckland baby has tested positive for swine flu after returning from Melbourne last month, bringing the country's confirmed cases to 13.

The one-year-old from South Auckland was diagnosed this morning as having swine flu and was recovering at home, said Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Fran McGrath.

Staff and other children at the Tama Ale Eleele A'oga Amata child care centre in Papatoetoe, where the child attended this week, were being asked to stay in isolation and were offered Tamiflu.

There were seven staff and 37 children enrolled at the centre, which will be closed on Monday, Dr McGrath said.

A decision would be made next week about whether it would reopen.

Public health nurses and doctors visited the child's family and the day care centre this afternoon to assess the situation, and were contacting families with children at the centre.

Swabs will be taken from people with flu symptoms, and public health staff will ensure they are kept in isolation and treated with Tamiflu.

The child apparently became ill after returning with family from Melbourne on May 26.

"Given the time delay between the arrival of the flight and this confirmed case, we are considering what follow-up of passengers on the flight is required," Dr McGrath said.

People with flu symptoms who had returned from overseas in the past seven days were told to seek advice via phone, as turning up at a hospital or medical centre helped spread the virus.

Three new cases have been confirmed this week, and health officials are warning that cases are likely to increase given the huge rise in infections in Australia.

An advertising campaign is due to start tomorrow in newspapers and on radio, airport posters and billboards to remind people about swine flu and how to limit its spread.

More than 100 people have died from swine flu worldwide, and 19,273 cases have been reported in 66 countries.

Australia reported 878 confirmed cases of swine flu as of 5am today, up from 634 a day ago.

http://www.3news.co.nz/News/Aucklan...rticleID/107419/Default.aspx?ArticleID=107419

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 13 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 13 cases confirmed

Swine flu strikes 1-year-old: Daycare children and staff quarantined
4:00AM Saturday Jun 06, 2009
By Bernard Orsman

Thirty-seven children and seven staff at a daycare centre in Papatoetoe are being placed in home isolation after a 1-year-old boy who attended the centre this week was diagnosed with swine flu yesterday.

This followed the case yesterday of a second passenger with swine flu who arrived on a flight from North America last weekend.

The deputy director of public health, Dr Fran McGrath, said the rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases in Australia would make it hard to keep swine flu from spreading to New Zealand.

Australian health authorities yesterday said they had 878 confirmed cases of swine flu - up from 634 cases 24 hours earlier.

The infection has been reported in 66 countries and there have been nearly 20,000 cases, including 117 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service clinical director Dr Julia Peters said it appeared the 1-year-old boy became ill after the family returned from Melbourne on May 26.

The parents took the boy to the doctor on Wednesday and the infection was confirmed yesterday.

Dr Peters said the public health service was still in the process of contacting the other 36 children who attended the Tama Ale Eleele A'oga Amata childcare centre in Wylie Rd, Papatoetoe, and seven staff to place them in home isolation and offer them the anti-flu drug Tamiflu.

The service took three more swabs yesterday from children and staff members who were showing flu-like symptoms.

The centre will be closed on Monday, and a decision is yet to be made on when it will reopen.

CALLING FOR HELP

Families from the centre can call the Auckland 0800 FLU LINE (0800 358 5463) for further information and advice.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10576805

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 13 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 13 cases confirmed

Child centre children suspected of having swine flu

11 other children from the centre were suspected of having contracted the disease

Sat, 06 Jun 2009 9:49p.m.

One child from a South Auckland children's centre has so far tested positive for a probable case of swine flu after another from the same centre tested positive for the flu.

Eleven other children from the centre were suspected of having contracted the disease.

The children were tested after a one-year-old baby boy, enrolled at Tama Ale Eleele A'oga Amata, tested positive after returning from Melbourne on May 26 with his family.

He is now in isolation at his home with his family.

Further tests on the results of the child who tested positive for Influenza A will be conducted to confirm if it is swine flu, a Northern Regional Health Co-Ordination Centre spokeswoman said.

Tests from the other 11 children will be processed overnight.

Auckland Regional Public Health Service will work with staff and families of children enrolled at the Papatoetoe child care centre, she said.

There were 37 children enrolled in the centre and seven staff members.

Families from the centre should call the Auckland 0800 FLU LINE (0800 358 5463) if they had any concerns or wanted further information, the spokeswoman said.
The Department of Health was also contacting people who had been sitting near the infant on the flight from Australia.
New Zealand now has 13 confirmed cases of swine flu.
People with flu symptoms who had returned from overseas in the past seven days were told to seek advice via phone, as turning up at a hospital or medical centre helped spread the virus.
Three new cases have been confirmed this week, and health officials are warning that cases are likely to increase given the huge rise in infections in Australia.
An advertising campaign started today in newspapers and on radio, airport posters and billboards to remind people about swine flu and how to limit its spread.
More than 100 people have died from swine flu worldwide, and 19,273 cases have been reported in 66 countries.
Australia reported 878 confirmed cases of swine flu as of 5am today, up from 634 a day ago.


http://www.3news.co.nz/News/Child-c...rticleID/107470/Default.aspx?ArticleID=107470

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 13 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 13 cases confirmed

Relief at Sth Auckland daycare flu results

Published: 9:18AM Sunday June 07, 2009

There's relief at swine flu test results from tests at a South Auckland daycare centre.

A one-year-old boy who attends the Tama Ale Eleele A'oga Amata child-care centre was diagnosed with H1N1 flu on Friday.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service has spent the last two days contacting staff members and families of the centre in Papatoetoe.

Thirteen swabs were sent for testing on Friday.

Test results reveal just one person out of 13 has tested positive for influenza A.

Further test results will show whether that person has H1N1 flu or not

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/relief-sth-auckland-daycare-flu-results-2771228

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 13 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 13 cases confirmed

Updated at 3:59pm on 7 June 2009

The number of confirmed swine flu cases in New Zealand has risen by one to 14.

The newest case is a 46-year- old woman who arrived from North America a week ago.

Health officials say she will finish her treatment on Sunday and is recovering well at home.

The woman had travelled with a person who's already confirmed as having the virus.

Childcare centre

Tests results are coming back from children at the Tama Ale Eleele A'oga Amata childcare centre in Papatoetoe, where a one-year-old tested positive for swine flu.

Another child at the centre who had a confirmed case of Influenza A has now tested negative for the H1N1 virus.

On Sunday, 13 tests were negative, and test results for another 24 suspected cases are expected on Monday.

The centre remains closed.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/06/07/1245b580badb

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 14 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 14 cases confirmed

Swine flu reaches South Island, gathers momentum in Australia

(Reuters)
Mon, 08 Jun 2009 8:13a.m.

A father and his young son from Kaiapoi have become the South Island's first swine flu victims and take New Zealand's total number of confirmed cases to 15.
But authorities fear there is worse to come, as the number of cases surge across the Tasman.
In a message titled "Pigs can't fly but flu can", public health boss Mark Jacobs has warned family doctors that community transmission here is a matter of "when rather than if".
Australia now has more than 1000 confirmed cases of swine flu, compared to 876 on Friday.
Tiaki Maindonald, seven, from Kaiapoi, just north of Christchurch, was confirmed to have swine flu at about 5pm last night. His father Ash had earlier been confirmed with the H1N1 virus after returning from a two-week business trip to America's west coast on Sunday, May 31.
After seven days in isolation, Mr Maindonald, 50, is due to return to work tomorrow at Kaiapoi Borough School, The Press reported.
Test results are also due back today from 24 people suspected of having the virus after they were exposed to an infected one-year-old at a childcare centre.
The boy returned home from Melbourne on May 26 and spent time at the Tama Ale Eleele A'oga Amata childcare centre in Papatoetoe last week before testing positive for swine flu on Friday.
Centre staff and children have been given Tamiflu and asked to stay in isolation.
New Zealand had a total of 92 suspected cases yesterday, up from 68 on Saturday.
The latest edition of the College of GPs newsletter, ePulse, carries a message from Dr Jacobs, the Health Ministry's director of public health.
"The recent rapid increase in cases in Australia in particular emphasises that community transmission in New Zealand is a matter of when rather than if.
"In the event of sustained community transmission, hospitals already entering the seasonal influenza period would soon be overwhelmed, most people will need to be cared for at home supported by telephone triage, probably through Healthline."
A Health Ministry public-awareness campaign began on radio on Saturday and will be extended to newspapers and international airports today.
Canterbury medical officer of health Dr Alistair Humphrey agreed with Dr Jacobs about the likely spread of the flu in New Zealand.
"Australia went from nothing to basically losing control of the outbreak in a week. That has happened in quite a few countries but it hasn't happened yet in New Zealand.
"By and large we've done a good job at keeping it at bay; we don't have thousands of cases all occurring at one go putting our health services and indeed our businesses under stress."
NZPA


http://www.3news.co.nz/News/Swine-f...rticleID/107554/Default.aspx?ArticleID=107554

 

[kiwibird]

16 School children held in classroom

16 School children held in classroom

Students held in classroom over swine flu fears

NZPA June 9, 2009, 12:49 pm

NZPA ©

Sixteen Gisborne Boys' High School students recently returned from a trip to Brisbane are being isolated in their classroom with suspected swine flu.

Nineteen people were on the trip: 16 students, two teachers and one parent and the group notified health authorities this morning after five exhibited flu-like symptoms.

Public Health staff will take swabs and the ones that have viral symptoms will be prescribed a course of Tamiflu.

It is hoped the test results will be available tomorrow.

They are considered as suspected cases as Australia is deemed by the Ministry of Health as an "affected area".

Medical Officer of Health Dr Geoff Cramp said the school had taken the right steps by isolating the party from the rest of the school.

"They moved quickly to ensure any possible spread would be minimal," he said.

"While we wait for the results of the swabs from Christchurch the party will be asked to remain in isolation so that the virus is not transferred to the wider community."

One student and the parent had remained at home and the rest were in isolation in a classroom. They were expected to be allowed home later today.

The number of confirmed swine flu cases in New Zealand remained at 17 today, the ministry said today.

A Canterbury father and son were the South Island's first cases after the father travelled to the United States.

The family had been in isolation at home after the boy's father was suspected of having Influenza A (H1N1) and treated with Tamiflu.

The father is recovering well and his time in quarantine has ended.

http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/5638239/students-held-in-classroom-over-swine-flu-fears/

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: 16 School children held in classroom

Re: 16 School children held in classroom

Updated at 3:32pm on 9 June 2009

Twenty people at Gisborne Boy's High School have been quarantined after suspicions they may have swine flu.

Five of the group of 17 students, two teachers and one parent showed mild flu-like symptoms after returning home from a school trip to Brisbane on Sunday.

The five have been prescribed the anti-viral drug Tamiflu, and public health staff have taken swabs from the others.

The results of the swab tests are expected to be available on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, two Wellingtonians were confirmed with swine flu, lifting the country's confirmed total to 19. Others are in Auckland, Christchurch and Hawke's Bay.

The Ministry of Health says the two Wellington individuals arrived in New Zealand from Los Angeles on 31 May.

The ministry has emphasized the need for good personal hygiene in countering the spread of the virus.

In Australia, authorities have confirmed more than 1,200 cases of swine flu, at least 1,000 of them in Victoria.

Globally, there are more than 25,000 cases in 73 countries.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/06/09/1245b59f15de

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 15 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 15 cases confirmed

New Zealand's confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1 rise to 19
www.chinaview.cn 2009-06-09 13:37:04 Print

WELLINGTON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1 has risen to 19 in New Zealand on Tuesday from 17on Monday, the Health Ministry said.

The two new confirmed cases were reported by Wellington's Regional Public Health overnight, both cases arrived in New Zealand on May 31 from Los Angeles of the United States. They became unwell after traveling together. Both cases and their close contacts are being treated with Tamiflu and asked to stay at home in isolation.

The geographic locations of confirmed cases now includes Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hawke's Bay in New Zealand.

The cumulative total of probable cases is 11 up from 10 on Monday.

There were currently 96 suspected cases, down from 103 on Monday.

There are 161 people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu.

New Zealand Health official were warning Influenza A/H1N1 is coming and it will have a big impact.

Medical Officers of Health now have legal powers to enforce quarantines and exclude children and teachers from schools.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humprey said Influenza A/H1N1 is far more contagious than normal flu. He is convinced one in three people will get it and that will cause enormous disruption for business.

Humprey said the symptoms are very similar to those of a normal flu but attention is currently focused on those just returned from overseas or who've had contact with someone who has.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-06/09/content_11513478.htm

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 19 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 19 cases confirmed

NZQA employees sent home after one contracts swine flu
Wed, 10 Jun 2009 5:43a.m.

A dozen New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) staff have been quarantined after a colleague contracted swine flu.

The employee with swine flu worked on level 13 of a central Wellington office building, and was sent home on Friday.

When the diagnosis was confirmed yesterday afternoon NZQA quarantined a dozen people from level 13.

Other tenants were warned yesterday, and the building landlords were expected to co-ordinate a response tomorrow.

Public health officials yesterday warned that up to half the country could be affected if a pandemic took hold.

The number of confirmed New Zealand cases of swine flu rose to 19 yesterday, with two new confirmed cases being reported by Wellington's Regional Public Health overnight.

While numbers of those infected are relatively small, the flu strain is new and people have never been exposed to it, so it was expected to spread quickly.

In its present form, it was unlikely to result in a higher death toll than seasonal flu.

Both those today confirmed as having swine flu arrived in New Zealand on Air New Zealand flight NZ5 from Los Angeles on May 31 and became unwell after travelling together.

Swabs were taken from both on Sunday, and they and their close contacts were being treated with Tamiflu and had been asked to stay at home in isolation.

The confirmed cases have occurred in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hawke's Bay. Most have recovered.

The number of probable cases was 11, up from 10 on Monday, and there were 161 people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu, up from 92 on Monday.

There was no way of knowing with any certainty the exact number of people who could be infected if a pandemic established in New Zealand, director of public health Mark Jacobs said.

However, the more confirmed cases New Zealand has, the higher the chance that more serious illness and deaths would occur, he said.

While New Zealand appeared to have succeeded in keeping swine flu at bay, Dr Jacobs said, as time went on the virus would become harder and harder to manage.

Among the suspected swine flu cases are a group of 16 Gisborne Boys' High School students who recently returned from a trip to Brisbane.

They were isolated in a classroom today and were able to go home this evening, after five had exhibited flu-like symptoms.

Public Health staff have taken swabs and the ones who have viral symptoms were to be prescribed a course of Tamiflu.

In Wellington, staff have been attempting to track down close contacts of another person with a confirmed case of swine flu who was travelling on Air New Zealand flight NZ124 which arrived from Melbourne on June 5.

The two most recent cases in Wellington also involved workplace contacts and in both cases a number of staff had been sent home and had been offered Tamiflu.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU) said today employers should be prepared to take responsibility for the costs of workplace exposure to swine flu after a predicted increase in cases.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said quarantine came with significant costs to workers and that those costs should be met by their employers if the exposure was work-related.

"There can be a significant cost to a worker when they are quarantined, ranging from loss of allowances to not being able to work their second job and we believe that cost should be paid by the employer if the quarantine is the result of workplace exposure," Mr Little said.

"We are currently following up on four cases in which EPMU members have been quarantined following workplace exposure and are not being properly compensated for the losses they are incurring as a result."

NZPA

http://www.3news.co.nz/News/NZQA-em...rticleID/107894/Default.aspx?ArticleID=107894

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 19 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 19 cases confirmed

Four HB travellers placed in isolation

10.06.2009
KATE NEWTON

Four more Hawke's Bay people who have recently returned to the region were yesterday asked to stay in isolation, as the country's confirmed total of swine flu cases rose to 19.

The Hawke's Bay four had returned from either America or Australia with flu symptoms and were being treated as suspected cases of swine flu by the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.

One other person is still being treated as an active suspect and two suspects had negative swab test results returned yesterday.

Across the country there are 161 people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu, up from 92 on Monday.



There was no way of knowing with any certainty the exact number of people who could be infected if a pandemic established in New Zealand, director of public health Mark Jacobs said.

But the more confirmed cases New Zealand had, the higher the chance that more serious illness and deaths would occur, he said.

While New Zealand appeared to have succeeded in keeping swine flu at bay, Dr Jacobs said, as time went on the virus would become harder and harder to manage.

Among the suspected swine flu cases are a group of 16 Gisborne Boys' High School students who recently returned from a trip to Brisbane.

The Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union said employers should be prepared to take responsibility for the costs of workplace exposure to swine flu after a predicted increase in cases.

EPMU national secretary Andrew Little said quarantine came with significant costs to workers and those costs should be met by their employers if the exposure was work-related.

"There can be a significant cost to a worker when they are quarantined, ranging from loss of allowances to not being able to work their second job," he said.

"We believe that cost should be paid by the employer if the quarantine is the result of workplace exposure."

http://www.hbtoday.co.nz/localnews/...localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 23 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 23 cases confirmed

Gisborne boys' high school group cleared of swine flu

Last updated 11:55 11/06/2009

The Gisborne Boys' High School group suspected of bringing swine flu back with them after a trip to Brisbane have returned negative test results.

The 16 students, two teachers and one parent were kept in isolation after several of them began displaying mild flu-like symptoms following their return from the school geography trip on Sunday.

But they were now free to return to school or work if they were well, said Tairawhiti district health board Medical Officer of Health Geoff Cramp.

"The other students, the community, and those that have had contact with the students can be reassured that there is no risk of catching the Influenza A (H1N1) virus (from them)," Dr Cramp said.

The total number of confirmed swine flu cases in New Zealand stands at 23.

Director of Public Health Mark Jacobs urged anyone who believed they had swine flu to phone a doctor rather than visit a medical centre or hospital in order to restrict the spread of the virus.

-NZPA

http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2491873/Gisborne-boys-high-school-group-cleared-of-swine-flu

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 23 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 23 cases confirmed

An Auckland daycare centre has been closed and part of Auckland hospital put on lock-down as the number of confirmed cases of Swine Flu rises to 27.

An Auckland nurse and her child who returned from a family holiday in the United Kingdom on Air NZ flight NZ1 on June 6 have both tested positive for Influenza A (H1N1).

The Ministry of Health said the nurse worked one shift at Auckland City Hospital's Renal Medicine and Transplant Ward (Ward 71) on June 8 and the child attended ABC Childcare Centre in Meadowbank the same day. Contacts of both cases are currently being traced.

Two former patients who had been cared for by the nurse during the 12-hour shift on June 8 have been visited by medical staff and care plans are in place.

19 ADHB staff who were in close contact with the nurse are also at home in quarantine and taking Tamiflu.

The Ministry of Health said none of the close contacts have flu symptoms at present.

The other two new cases were reported in the Waikato, where a factory worker and a New Zealander recently returned from Melbourne have tested positive to the virus.

Auckland City Hospital chief medical officer Dr David Sage said the nurse did not have flu symptoms when she was at work on June 8.

However, her child began to show flu-like symptoms that day and immediate medical treatment was sought.

The nurse returned home after completing her shift. The family voluntarily isolated themselves at home while awaiting the test results for their child at which time the nurse began exhibiting flu symptoms.

Last night, both swabs returned positive results for Influenza A (H1N1).

Dr Sage said staff at Auckland City Hospital acted swiftly to identify, isolate and treat all those potentially affected as soon as the alert was raised.

"At this time, none of these people are showing flu-like symptoms," he said.

"I would like to commend all the staff who worked tirelessly last night and this morning to help us contain the potential spread of this virus," Dr Sage said.

Dr Sage said Ward 71 remained open but is closed to new admissions and has strict infection-control procedures in place.

Five patients are being cared for in isolation and there is a limit on visitors to patients and the number of staff working in the ward has been reduced.

The ABC Childcare Centre has closed temporarily. The childcare centre's staff are currently working with Auckland Regional Public Health (ARPH) staff to identify children who were at the centre on June 8.

ARPH's clinical director Dr Julia Peters said staff were working closely with the childcare centre. The 29 children enrolled at the Centre and seven staff are being offered Tamiflu and are in isolation at home.

The Ministry of Health's chief advisor on public health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, said as more people tested positive for influenza A (H1N1) "swine flu" there would be more instances where workplaces, schools, and child care centres would be affected.

"People have been highly cooperative to date. This has undoubtedly contributed to New Zealand's relatively low number of confirmed cases.

"As has been demonstrated this week, each case can have a large number of contacts, and already, this virus is causing significant disruption to the regular routines and lives of those affected.

"Our assessment is that our actions to "keep it out" and "stamp it out" are still appropriate and worthwhile. There are real benefits to delaying widespread community transmission of the virus for as long as possible," Dr Bloomfield said.

 

[Sally Furniss]

Re: NZ 27 cases confirmed

Re: NZ 27 cases confirmed

H1N1 flu cases in NZ rise to 35

Published: 3:43PM Friday June 12, 2009

Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB

H1N1 flu cases in NZ rise to 35 (Source: Reuters)

Reuters

The number of people in H1N1 influenza in New Zealand has jumped to 35 on Friday, up from 27 on Thursday.

The new cases include two adults and a baby from Wellington living at the same address, plus two others in their 20's from Wellington; and a 73-year-old from the central North Island.

The worst affected is a 13-year-old from Auckland, who is being treated in Starship Hospital.

Ten of those who had tested positive for the flu were being treated with Tamiflu and are in isolation. The rest have recovered.

http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/h1n1-flu-cases-in-nz-rise-35-2781745

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A 13-year-old Auckland girl, who has been admitted to Starship Children's Hospital with respiratory symptoms.The child is being nursed in strict isolation, with all appropriate infection control procedures in place. Staff who came into contact with the child have been given prophylactic Tamiflu. Staff are continuing to work with appropriate protection (such as wearing a surgical mask) to maintain this essential service.

http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/influenza-a-h1n1-update-seventyone-120609