Tuesday, 19 May 2009, 1:31 pm
Press Release: Ministry of Health

Media Release
12:30pm, Tuesday 19 May 2009
Update 43 - Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

While the case numbers in New Zealand remain stable, the National Health Coordination Centre (NHCC) is taking the opportunity to support the health sector and wider government agencies to prepare well in case the situation worsens.

The Ministry of Health has written to all District Health Board Chief Executives and heads of government agencies, telling them why we need to remain vigilant and advising them to be well-prepared.

What happens here – and our level of response – is assessed regularly taking into account cases in other countries, the picture in New Zealand and changes to the virus. We are keeping a close eye on the situation overseas, where the number of cases being notified continues to increase.

New Zealand situation
There are no new cases of Influenza A (H1N1) infections in New Zealand. The cumulative total of known past infections remains at nine, with all cases fully recovered. The cumulative total of
past probable cases remains at 10, with all cases fully recovered.
There are currently 38 suspected cases –(up from 37 yesterday)

The numbers of suspected cases fluctuate as more people with symptoms arriving from affected areas are assessed (treated and isolated), and as laboratory testing rules out some suspected cases.

As of Monday 18 May, the exact number of people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu is six. (As of Friday, 15 May 2009, there were nine.) The numbers of people in isolation vary according to when they complete 72 hours of the five-day course of Tamiflu.

International Update from the World Health Organisation
As of 06:00 GMT, 18 May 2009, 40 countries have officially reported 8829 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection. ]

Mexico has reported 3103 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 68 deaths. The United States has reported 4714 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths. Japan has 125 laboratory confirmed cases, 118 of them confirmed since May 17. The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Argentina (1), Australia (1), Austria (1), Belgium (5), Brazil (8), Canada (496), Chile (1), China (6), Colombia (11), Costa Rica (9 ), Cuba (3), Denmark (1), Ecuador (1), El Salvador (4), Finland (2), France (14), Germany (14), Guatemala (3), India (1), Ireland (1), Israel (7), Italy (9), Japan (125), Malaysia (2), Netherlands (3), New Zealand (9), Norway (2), Panama (54), Peru (1), Poland (1), Portugal (1), Republic of Korea (3), Spain (103), Sweden (3), Switzerland (1), Thailand (2), Turkey (2), and the United Kingdom (101).
The WHO is not recommending travel restrictions related to the outbreak of the influenza A (H1N1) virus.

The WHO recommends that individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travellers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care. These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza.

Regular updates on the Influenza A(H1N1) outbreak are available on the WHO website on a regular basis (www.who.int).

This information can be attributed to Dr Fran McGrath, Deputy Director of Public Health.


SOURCE: http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/GE0905/S00147.htm