Sally Furniss
Well-known member
Swine flu cases on rise locally as NZ total tops 1000
By EMMA BAILEY and FAIRFAX - The Timaru Herald Last updated 05:00 07/07/2009
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<!-- -normal_story_landing- --> <!--start components/story/common_content--> As swine flu cases rise in South Canterbury and nationally, the Government has agreed to offer frontline health staff a vaccine.
Nationally, three people have died from the virus and a patient with no underlying health conditions is in a serious condition in Wellington Hospital.
South Canterbury medical officer of health Daniel Williams said the number of confirmed cases in the region was eight, up two from last week.
There had been a marked increase in GP consultation rates for influenza-like illnesses from sentinel practices those reporting consultations for throughout the district have a rate of 85 patients per 50,000 of the population with influenza symptoms.
"This year the number of sentinel practices in South Canterbury has been increased from two to seven in order to monitor the spread of swine flu more closely," Dr Williams said.
"Last week there was a marked increase in consultation rates for influenza-like illnesses from sentinel practices, with practices across the district reporting seeing patients with influenza symptoms. Similar increases were seen in Canterbury and the West Coast."
The Government has agreed in principle to offer frontline health staff and emergency personnel vaccination against swine flu.
The Health Ministry has ordered an initial supply of 300,000 doses of a vaccine, under one of its two agreements for pandemic influenza vaccine. This is sufficient for 150,000 workers.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said having the vaccine was primarily an insurance policy.
"We want to be in the position of having the vaccine and not needing it, rather than the other way around."
Swine flu cases cracked 1000 in New Zealand yesterday, with confirmed cases now totalling 1059 nationwide. The ministry reiterated that the actual number of cases was likely to be much higher as only a small proportion of people were being tested.
Wellington continues to be the swine flu capital with a cumulative total of 301 cases, Auckland has 249 and Canterbury has 238.
A 17-year-old Wellington woman with swine flu is no longer critically ill, having improved to a serious but stable condition. A Wellington Hospital spokesman said the woman, who has no underlying health problems, had her status downgraded yesterday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-heral...u-cases-on-rise-locally-as-NZ-total-tops-1000
By EMMA BAILEY and FAIRFAX - The Timaru Herald Last updated 05:00 07/07/2009
<!-- Begin relevant offers adspace--> <script>add_batch_ad('adRELEVANTOFFER1', '240x45_SPECIALOFFER','RELEVANTOFFER1');</script>
<!-- -normal_story_landing- --> <!--start components/story/common_content--> As swine flu cases rise in South Canterbury and nationally, the Government has agreed to offer frontline health staff a vaccine.
Nationally, three people have died from the virus and a patient with no underlying health conditions is in a serious condition in Wellington Hospital.
South Canterbury medical officer of health Daniel Williams said the number of confirmed cases in the region was eight, up two from last week.
There had been a marked increase in GP consultation rates for influenza-like illnesses from sentinel practices those reporting consultations for throughout the district have a rate of 85 patients per 50,000 of the population with influenza symptoms.
"This year the number of sentinel practices in South Canterbury has been increased from two to seven in order to monitor the spread of swine flu more closely," Dr Williams said.
"Last week there was a marked increase in consultation rates for influenza-like illnesses from sentinel practices, with practices across the district reporting seeing patients with influenza symptoms. Similar increases were seen in Canterbury and the West Coast."
The Government has agreed in principle to offer frontline health staff and emergency personnel vaccination against swine flu.
The Health Ministry has ordered an initial supply of 300,000 doses of a vaccine, under one of its two agreements for pandemic influenza vaccine. This is sufficient for 150,000 workers.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said having the vaccine was primarily an insurance policy.
"We want to be in the position of having the vaccine and not needing it, rather than the other way around."
Swine flu cases cracked 1000 in New Zealand yesterday, with confirmed cases now totalling 1059 nationwide. The ministry reiterated that the actual number of cases was likely to be much higher as only a small proportion of people were being tested.
Wellington continues to be the swine flu capital with a cumulative total of 301 cases, Auckland has 249 and Canterbury has 238.
A 17-year-old Wellington woman with swine flu is no longer critically ill, having improved to a serious but stable condition. A Wellington Hospital spokesman said the woman, who has no underlying health problems, had her status downgraded yesterday.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-heral...u-cases-on-rise-locally-as-NZ-total-tops-1000