Media Release
21 July 2009
Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update 112
New Zealand's health services continue to feel the pressure from both seasonal and non-seasonal influenza this winter, but are coping well.
Health Minister Tony Ryall says some hospitals are postponing elective surgery and are at full capacity in their Intensive Care Units (ICUs) but advise us they remain able to provide a quality health service.
"Latest data from ESR's GP sentinel surveillance system shows a sharp spike in the number of consultations for influenza-like illnesses (ILIs)."
"What this surveillance data shows us is that we have not yet reached a peak in the number of people who will experience influenza this year. We anticipate that our health services will continue to be under pressure for some time yet."
Latest Numbers
There are a total of 2443 confirmed cases of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 swine flu, up from 2368 yesterday.
The actual number of cases of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 will be significantly higher, as only a small proportion of people with symptoms are being tested.
This is because for most people, it's a mild illness and they will recover readily at home without needing medical treatment.
The number of deaths from Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 swine flu is now 11, up one since yesterday. The latest death is a child in the Mid Central DHB region, who had underlying medical conditions and died within the past week.
Please note these 11 deaths reported by the Ministry are deaths from swine flu, where swine flu was a primary cause of death. The Ministry will continue to report deaths from H1N1 where it is definitive that H1N1 was the major contributing factor to the person's death.
Where people have H1N1 at the time of death, but it is unclear if it led to the death, normal pathology and testing procedures will be carried out. It can take a considerable amount of time to determine an outcome.
Healthline Calls
Healthline continues to receive a high number of calls from people with influenza-like symptoms, although the volume of calls has dropped in the past week. Between the 11th and the 17th of July 2009, about a third of all calls to Healthline were related to influenza-like illnesses (ILIs).
GP Consultations
There has been a continuing sharp increase in consultations for ILIs through ESR's GP sentinal surveillance system since reported last week. So far, the highest ILI consultation rates have been reported among children and teenagers aged from birth to 19 years. The highest weekly ILI consultation rates have been reported from South Auckland, Wellington and South Canterbury health districts.
Below is a table showing weekly consultation rates from ESR's GP sentinel surveillance system for influenza-like illnesses for the past three years. The GP sentinel surveillance system monitors 86 GP practices throughout New Zealand. This table represents the number of patients who have consulted with influenza-like symptoms. This data is extrapolated to give a rate per 100,000 people.
Numbers of people in hospitals with the Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09
As at midday today, a total of 74 people are reported to be in hospital with Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 or its complications, and 26 of these people are in intensive care.
The number of patients currently in intensive care with confirmed Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 broken down by region is as follows:
Northland (3), Auckland (5), Waitemata (4), Counties Manukau (4), Waikato (3), Hawkes Bay (1), Capital and Coast (3), Nelson/Marlborough (1), Canterbury (2).
ENDS
Information in this update can be attributed to Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Fran McGrath
For health information and advice, the public should call Healthline 0800 611 116
For latest updates on Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu, visit http://www.moh.govt.nz
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For media queries related to this update, please call the National Health Coordination Centre, Communications Desk at +64 (04) 816 3660 or +64 (021) 243 6805 or email H1N1comms@moh.govt.nz