Media Release
18 August 2009
Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 Swine Flu - Update 138
There has been another death from Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 swine flu. A 30-year-old woman died in Dunedin on Sunday with swine flu as the primary cause of death. She had no underlying medical conditions. This brings the total number of deaths from H1N1 to 15.
The number of people presenting to GPs with influenza like illnesses, however, continues to fall, providing a further indication that the current swine flu pandemic appears to be abating.
Most District Health Boards are continuing to manage demand, with fewer influenza admissions, and less need for intensive care beds than in July. Hospitals report that the number of staff away sick is on a par with this time last year.
All indications are that this pandemic is on a downward trend, but it's common for influenza numbers to rise and fall over several months. At this stage, it isn't known whether swine flu will re-emerge in coming weeks or months, particularly during the northern hemisphere winter.
The pandemic influenza (H1N1) 09 virus is now the dominant influenza strain in most parts of the world, and is expected to remain so during the coming northern hemisphere influenza season.
People should not let their guard down and should continue the good hygiene habits they have focused on this flu season.
Good hygiene messages have helped keep people healthy, and they should be applied whether or not there is a pandemic. Stay at home if you are sick, wash and dry your hands often and cover coughs and sneezes.
Latest Numbers
There are a total of 3067 confirmed cases of Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 swine flu, up from 3056 yesterday. These are people who have returned a positive laboratory test for pandemic influenza (H1N1) 09. 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.
As mentioned above, the number of deaths from Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) swine flu is now 15. Please note these 15 deaths reported by the Ministry are deaths from swine flu, where swine flu was a primary cause of death. Other deaths are being investigated by the Coroner's office.
Numbers of people in hospitals with the Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09
As at midday today, a total of 20 people are reported to be in hospital with Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 or its complications. Eleven people are in intensive care, and nine are in general wards.
The number of patients currently in intensive care with confirmed Pandemic Influenza (H1N1) 09 broken down by region is as follows:
Northland (1) Auckland (2), Waitemata (1), Waikato (1), Lakes (1 ), Canterbury (3), South Canterbury (1), Southland (1).
School absences
In general, schools are reporting usual levels of absence for this time of year, while only a minority of schools are reporting either lower or higher levels.
Healthline Calls
Healthline has continued to receive a high number of influenza-related calls over the past week, although numbers have decreased since peaks in mid-June and early July. The total number of calls answered by Healthline nurses continues to be about 20 percent above normal levels.
GP Consultations
The data below are from Environmental Science and Research's (ESR) sentinel general practice surveillance system. It shows that at its peak, the weekly influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rates this year were nearly three times higher than the winter peak experienced in the last two years. The number of ILI consultations has decreased over recent weeks.
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 WHO reports that transmission of the pandemic influenza (H1N1) 09 virus is declining globally, especially in temperate regions of the southern hemisphere (with the exception of South Africa). The virus continues to spread in the northern hemisphere, although areas first affected by the virus are seeing less activity. Tropical areas are seeing a peak in pandemic influenza cases at a time when the usual seasonal influenza peaks would occur. The WHO warns of the risk of further spread in highly populated areas as community spread begins in Asia and Africa.
The H1N1 virus is now the dominant influenza strain in most parts of the world, and is expected to remain so during the coming northern hemisphere influenza season.
The World Health Organization is no longer issuing tables showing the numbers of confirmed cases for all countries. This is because in many countries, laboratory testing is being carried out on only a small number of people and the numbers of confirmed cases no longer give an accurate picture of spread the spread and extent of the virus. For more information about this reporting change go to the WHO website: http://www.who.int/en/
ENDS
Information in this update should be attributed to Dr Darren Hunt, Deputy Director of Public Health
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