Media Release
2:00 pm, Saturday 20 June 2009
Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update Eighty-one
Although the new Influenza A (H1N1) virus is now spreading in some of our communities, it is important to remember that the transmission is considered widespread in the three major cities (Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch) but not elsewhere yet, and the overall severity of the disease is moderate.
The vast majority of people contracting the virus in New Zealand are experiencing relatively mild to moderate symptoms. Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalisation or medical care. The shift in New Zealand’s response to a “manage it” phase reflects this continued increase in the number of cases as well as the moderate severity of the disease.
Nevertheless, the new Influenza A (H1N1) virus presents a slightly higher risk to those with some existing chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, severe asthma and other severe respiratory illnesses. Most people will be able to care for themselves at home without the need for medical attention. However, a person should seek medical care if they develop flu and they have other significant health problems, or if they become more seriously ill (for example, if they experience shortness of breath). Antiviral drugs (Tamiflu and Relenza) can be effective in treating the illness and reducing the severity of the disease particularly if treatment is started within the first 48 hours from when symptoms occur, and their use is being limited to people with more severe illness or who are at higher risk of developing more severe illness.
Influenza A (H1N1) is a new virus and one to which most people have no or little immunity. In light of this, we expect that the virus will cause many more infections than are seen with seasonal or ordinary winter flu. This new influenza appears to be as contagious as ordinary winter flu.
We expect large numbers of further cases of infection to occur as the pandemic plays out over coming months. The New Zealand Government is also prepared in the event the outbreak becomes more severe.
Notwithstanding the shift in our response to the outbreak, we will continue to track the spread of the virus through the national surveillance system of the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR). We will no longer routinely take swabs of suspected cases. Laboratory testing will be carried out only in limited clinical circumstances, and as part of surveillance and to monitor the behaviour of the virus.
Border management is still a part of the Government’s response and will remain so. Activities at the border will continue, principally providing health information to people arriving in New Zealand and advice as necessary.
There is no need to alter normal behaviour or cancel social gatherings, sports events and travel. But good hygiene can help to reduce transmission of the virus. This includes covering your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing your hands frequently with soap and water, and cleaning hard surfaces like door handles frequently. If you are sick, stay home until you have fully recovered as you can easily spread the germs to others. General information on the signs and symptoms of the new influenza, and advice on limiting the spread of infection and how to care for yourself at home are available on the Ministry of Health website: (http://www.moh.govt.nz).
Information and health advice can be accessed through Healthline 0800 611 116. Callers to Healthline seeking flu information who do not have symptoms should take the “Press 1” option. They will hear the recorded information about Influenza A (H1N1) but can also opt to speak to an operator at anytime. Those with flu symptoms should “Press 2” to speak to a registered nurse.
Regional phone numbers for advice are also being set up in some areas.
What the “manage it” phase means
An important part of this approach includes individuals being prepared to look after themselves at home in the same way they would with ordinary winter flu. Our aim is to ensure hospitals can look after those who develop a more severe illness or suffer from complications because of other existing chronic conditions.
Swabbing and testing to identify the exact type of seasonal influenza will be carried out only to support the management of more serious cases or those who are most vulnerable to develop serious complications.
People who become unwell with any type of influenza will be expected to stay home until they have fully recovered, and call their GP only if they develop more serious illness or if they have underlying medical conditions.
Antiviral drugs will be prescribed only for people with more severe influenza symptoms or at higher risk of developing complications.
Latest numbers
As at 1200 June 20, the cumulative numbers of confirmed and probable cases remain the same as yesterday. This is due to a backlog of results waiting to be entered into the Episurv system, the official case result system for the Ministry of Health. This number will be updated later tonight with new official numbers available in tomorow's media release.
A 30-year-old woman with Influenza A (H1N1) infection remains in critical condition at Wellington hospital. She has an underlying health condition.
The cumulative total of confirmed cases by region are:
Northland (0); Auckland (52); Waikato (6); Bay of Plenty/Lakes (4); Gisborne (0); Hawkes Bay (2); Taranaki (0); Wanganui/Palmerston North (1); Wellington (81); Nelson/Marlborough (1); Canterbury (74) and Otago/Southland (0).
National Non-Seasonal Novel Influenza A(H1N1) case and contact numbers for New Zealand
| As at 1200hrs 20 June 2009
| Confirmed
| Probable
| Suspected
| Number of confirmed H1N1 cases reported in past 7 days*
|
| Northland PHS
| 0
| 0
| 25
| 0
|
| Auckland RPHS
| 52
| 10
| 410
| 31
|
| Waikato PHS
| 6
| 0
| 15
| 4
|
| Bay of Plenty / Lakes
| 4
| 5
| 64
| 4
|
| Tairawhiti DHB
| 0
| 0
| 3
| 0
|
| Hawke’s Bay PHU
| 2
| 1
| 17
| 1
|
| Taranaki HPU
| 0
| 0
| 4
| 0
|
| Wanganui / Palmerston North
| 1
| 0
| 17
| 0
|
| Wellington
| 81
| 1
| 89
| 51
|
| Nelson Marlborough PHS
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 1
|
| Canterbury
| 74
| 0
| 16
| 54
|
| Otago / Southland
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
| Total
| 216**
| 17
| 661
| 158*
|
Notes:
Confirmed, probable and suspected numbers from EpiSurv.
Suspected cases includes those that are reported as under investigation.
* Number includes all cases confirmed for ≤7 days from report date
** These numbers reflect the 1100 Media release from 19 June - updated numbers will be availble in tomorrow's media release - this is due to a backlog of results waiting to be entered into EPIsurv, the official case system utilised by the Ministry of Health.
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Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme
As part of the management of the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, the Ministry of Health has purchased an extra 125,000 doses of the seasonal influenza vaccine, which is still available for use.
The fewer people who contract seasonal influenza, the fewer hospitalisations will occur. The people most at risk of complications are those who are in the group eligible for the free programme. If more of this group are vaccinated, it means there will be a better chance of being able to deal with the increasing numbers of people likely to be hospitalised with complications from Influenza A (H1N1).
The Ministry of Health is strongly encouraging frontline health workers to be vaccinated for seasonal influenza. This means hospitals and other frontline health services will be better able to cope with the increased demand over the winter months.
Advice for workplaces
It is business as usual for most workplaces. Staff should stay home only if they have flu-like symptoms or if they have received medical advice to stay home.
How to protect yourself and others
- Signs and symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headaches, chills and fatigue. Some people also experience diarrhoea and vomiting.
- Try to avoid contact with sick people and reduce time spent in crowded settings.
- Sick people should stay home until they are well, rather than going to school or work.
- If you become sick, stay home for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep you from infecting others. Most people will be able to safely recover at home.
- You should seek medical advice if necessary (by phone first), for example if you have a serious underlying health condition or your condition worsens. This is particularly important for people with underlying medical conditions, who are at greater risk of developing complications from influenza. If you need medical advice, please phone Healthline 0800 611 116 in the first instance, or your GP. Do not turn up at a hospital or medical centre before doing this as you can spread germs to other people.
- If you are caring for someone with flu, watch for signs that they may need further medical attention, including: shortness of breath, chest pain, blueness around the lips, inability to keep fluids down, becoming less alert or lightheadedness. More information can be found on the websites of the Department of Human Services of the State Government of Victoria in Australia (http://humanswineflu.health.vic.gov.au/public/what_to_expect.htm) and the Centers for Disease Control in the US (http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/qa.htm).
Be prepared – at home and in the workplace
· Be prepared - This is the time for people to make sure they’re prepared to be self-sufficient for a week, should they need to. This means you should have enough food water and basic medical supplies including paracetamol or ibuprofen as well as regular medications, nappies for babies, cleaning products, tissues and bathroom supplies for at least a week.
- Hand hygiene is still the single most effective measure in protecting yourself. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.
- Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread this way.
- Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette. This means covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and disposing of the tissue in a lined rubbish bin with a lid or plastic bag
- Checklists and advice on how individuals and families can prepare for a pandemic are available on the Ministry of Health's website: http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/indexmh/pandemicinfluenza-resources-factsheets
International Update from the World Health Organization
On 11 June 2009, the WHO raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6 on the basis of available evidence and expert assessments of that evidence. At this time, WHO considers the overall severity of the influenza pandemic to be moderate. The assessment reflects the fact that most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalisation or medical care.
As of 7:00 GMT, 19 June 2009, nearly 90 countries reported 44,287 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 180 deaths. Over 4600 cases were newly confirmed since the last update provided at 12:00 GMT, 17 June 2009.
The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given in the following table (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_06_19/en/index.html)
As at 5am AEST on 20 June, Australia has reported 2330 confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) influenza, including 1230 cases in Victoria.
Regular updates on the Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic are available on the WHO website (http://www.who.int).
Unless otherwise specified, this information can be attributed to Dr Mark Jacobs, 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 www.moh.govt.nz
Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/minhealthnzFor 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