September peak tipped for swine flu outbreak
The number of people in Taranaki infected with swine flu could increase drastically with the pandemic expected to peak in September.
Yesterday a 26-year-old Taranaki man was confirmed to have the virus, bringing the total affected in the region to five.
The man had fully recovered and was out of isolation when the results of his tests were read.
Taranaki medical officer of health Dr Penny Hutchinson said it was impossible to know how many people were infected with the virus.
"It is probably more of a reflection on the amount of testing we are doing rather than the true numbers as we don't test everyone who has a flu-like illness," Ms Hutchinson said.
"We do know we have got local spread and that is only because people who have been tested have indicated they have not been out of the region recently."
She said seasonal influenza cases generally peak about the end of July/August.
"We will certainly have an increase of people with an influenza-like illness but seasonal flu or swine flu a lot of the time we won't know unless they are seriously unwell or we have got surveillance," Ms Hutchinson said.
GPs throughout Taranaki will start routinely taking swabs from patients so the medical community begins to get a picture of the spread of the illness.
"That may give us a feel but we are not going to have a true idea about the true numbers.
"We have got this double whammy here in New Zealand with seasonal influenza and the swine influenza on top so it's very difficult to predict what's going on with it," Ms Hutchinson said.
When there are pandemics they usually come in waves and this wave of swine flu is being watched closely because of the opportunity for the virus to mutate due to other viruses floating around, she said.
She said recommendations from the TDHB and the Ministry of Health were that if you have an influenza-like illness stay at home and only go to the doctor if the symptoms are more severe or you have any underlying health problems that may make you more high risk.
"We want to get that message out."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has ordered an initial supply of 300,000 doses of a swine flu vaccine, which is earmarked for frontline healthcare professionals.
The vaccine is due for delivery within the month but it will not be used for an immunisation programme until it is assessed by Medsafe for safety and effectiveness.
A licensing decision by Medsafe is expected by the end of the year.
Taranaki District Health Board incident controller Anne Kemp said it was uncertain how much of the vaccine would be available for local medical staff.
"The ministry is currently working on the plans so we won't know how much will be available for frontline staff," Ms Kemp said.
Ad Feedback There is no word whether a swine flu vaccine will become available to the general public.
"With the amount they [the ministry] have got they have to make frontline health staff a priority," Ms Kemp said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2573559/September-peak-tipped-for-swine-flu-outbreak
The number of people in Taranaki infected with swine flu could increase drastically with the pandemic expected to peak in September.
Yesterday a 26-year-old Taranaki man was confirmed to have the virus, bringing the total affected in the region to five.
The man had fully recovered and was out of isolation when the results of his tests were read.
Taranaki medical officer of health Dr Penny Hutchinson said it was impossible to know how many people were infected with the virus.
"It is probably more of a reflection on the amount of testing we are doing rather than the true numbers as we don't test everyone who has a flu-like illness," Ms Hutchinson said.
"We do know we have got local spread and that is only because people who have been tested have indicated they have not been out of the region recently."
She said seasonal influenza cases generally peak about the end of July/August.
"We will certainly have an increase of people with an influenza-like illness but seasonal flu or swine flu a lot of the time we won't know unless they are seriously unwell or we have got surveillance," Ms Hutchinson said.
GPs throughout Taranaki will start routinely taking swabs from patients so the medical community begins to get a picture of the spread of the illness.
"That may give us a feel but we are not going to have a true idea about the true numbers.
"We have got this double whammy here in New Zealand with seasonal influenza and the swine influenza on top so it's very difficult to predict what's going on with it," Ms Hutchinson said.
When there are pandemics they usually come in waves and this wave of swine flu is being watched closely because of the opportunity for the virus to mutate due to other viruses floating around, she said.
She said recommendations from the TDHB and the Ministry of Health were that if you have an influenza-like illness stay at home and only go to the doctor if the symptoms are more severe or you have any underlying health problems that may make you more high risk.
"We want to get that message out."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has ordered an initial supply of 300,000 doses of a swine flu vaccine, which is earmarked for frontline healthcare professionals.
The vaccine is due for delivery within the month but it will not be used for an immunisation programme until it is assessed by Medsafe for safety and effectiveness.
A licensing decision by Medsafe is expected by the end of the year.
Taranaki District Health Board incident controller Anne Kemp said it was uncertain how much of the vaccine would be available for local medical staff.
"The ministry is currently working on the plans so we won't know how much will be available for frontline staff," Ms Kemp said.
Ad Feedback There is no word whether a swine flu vaccine will become available to the general public.
"With the amount they [the ministry] have got they have to make frontline health staff a priority," Ms Kemp said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/swine-flu/2573559/September-peak-tipped-for-swine-flu-outbreak