Media Release
2:00pm Friday 3 July 2009
Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update Ninety-four
The number of confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand continue to rise, up 87 since yesterday.
There are now 912 confirmed cases, however Director of Public Health Dr Mark Jacobs says the true figure is certain to be much higher than this, given that we are no longer swabbing every person suspected to have swine flu.
Dr Jacobs says, "the latest report from ESR's GP sentinel surveillance system shows the weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand continue to increase and are already considerably higher than the peaks during the last two years."
"This tells us that there is already a large number of people in New Zealand with influenza-like illnesses this winter, some, but not all of this will be swine flu. It's important people take extra precautions this winter to protect themselves and others from the virus."
This includes washing and drying hands thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home if you are unwell. For people who have influenza-like symptoms which worsen, contact Healthline on 0800 611 116 or phone your GP.
Latest Numbers
The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is 912, up from 825 yesterday. The number of probable cases is 61, from 52 yesterday.
The cumulative total of confirmed cases by region are:
Northland (20), Auckland ( 202), Waikato (45), Bay of Plenty/Lakes (29), Gisborne (2 ), Hawkes Bay (57), Taranaki (2), Wanganui/Palmerston North (14), Wellington (291), Nelson/Marlborough (13), Canterbury (229), Otago/Southland (8).
National Novel Influenza A (H1N1) 09 case numbers for New Zealand
| As at 1200hrs 3 July 2009 | Confirmed | Probable | Number of confirmed H1N1 cases reported in past 7 days* |
| Northland PHS | 20 | 5 | 15 |
| Auckland RPHS | 202 | 11 | 62 |
| Waikato PHS | 45 | 3 | 24 |
| Bay of Plenty / Lakes | 29 | 18 | 11 |
| Tairawhiti DHB | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Hawke’s Bay PHU | 57 | 5 | 51 |
| Taranaki HPU | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Wanganui / Palmerston North | 14 | 2 | 10 |
| Wellington | 291 | 1 | 118 |
| Nelson Marlborough PHS | 13 | 7 | 7 |
| Canterbury | 229 | 9 | 102 |
| Otago / Southland | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| Total | 912 | 61 | 411 |
Notes: Confirmed and probable numbers from EpiSurv are underestimated.
* Number includes all cases confirmed for ≤7 days from report date
Note: Suspected Cases are no longer being reported
International Update from the World Health Organization
WHO figures were last updated on 1 July 2009 at 09:00 GMT, where 112 countries reported 77, 201 cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) 09 infection, including 332 deaths.
The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given in the following table:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_07_01a/en/index.html
ENDSFor 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
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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