Media Release

31 July 2009

Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 Swine Flu - Update 120

The Ministry of Health website http://www.moh.govt.nz/influenza-a-h1n1 contains information to help people and organisations understand and manage pandemic influenza (H1n1) 09 swine flu, including:

• Being prepared
• Signs and symptoms
• Protecting and caring for yourself and others, including babies and young children
• Questions and answers
• Information for:
  - Health professionals
  - Employers and employees
  - Education providers and parents
  - Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers
  - Travellers

Latest Numbers

There are a total of 2797 confirmed cases of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 swine flu, up from 2769 yesterday.
The number of deaths from Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 swine flu is 13.

Australian Situation

For the number of confirmed cases in Australia, go to the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing website at:
http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/updates

International Update from the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is no longer issuing tables showing the numbers of confirmed cases for all countries.

This is because there are an increasing number of cases in many countries, including New Zealand, which is making it extremely difficult to confirm laboratory testing in an accurate and timely manner.

For more information about this reporting change go to the WHO website: http://www.who.int/en/

ENDS

Information in this update can be attributed to Deputy Director of Health, Dr Darren Hunt

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

Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/minhealthnz

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