Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 - Update 206
Media Release
6 September 2010
Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) -
Update 206
Influenza H1N1 activity reports are continuing to show a decline.
The number of influenza calls to Healthline is back to normal - currently at the same rate as in 2008 - the year before the pandemic. Though the picture is complicated by the Christchurch earthquake which has bumped up the number of calls to Healthline overall.
Since last Thursday's update, there has been one additional death linked to swine flu reported. This brings the total to date to 17. Thirteen of these deaths have so far been confirmed as being due to swine flu. Details of the latest death is reported on the Auckland DHB website.
As at midday today, there have been 648 hospitalisations of laboratory-confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1, including 11 people currently in intensive care. So far this year, a total of 103 people with confirmed H1N1 have been admitted to intensive care. These figures do not include influenza-like illness among people admitted to hospital without a positive H1N1 laboratory test result.
It's important to seek medical advice early, particularly for people with underlying medical conditions or who are severely overweight or pregnant as they are at greater risk of a more severe illness. If you have flu-like symptoms, phone your GP first before you go in to help them manage your care and prevent spread to others. For health advice, call Healthline on 0800 611 116.
Protecting
yourself and others
For some people, influenza
can be a very serious illness. The main measures to protect
yourself and others are:
• Know the symptoms of
influenza, which can include a high fever, headache, cough,
sore throat, tiredness and generally aching all over.
• Phone for medical advice quickly (call your GP or
Healthline on 0800 611 116) if you have influenza-like
symptoms, including consideration of whether you need
antiviral medicine treatment. Antiviral medication may
lessen the severity and length of your illness, but is best
started within the first 48 hours. Antiviral medication is
currently available free of charge for people who are
prescribed it for influenza treatment.
• Seeking early
medical advice is especially important for women who are
pregnant, severely overweight people and those with
underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes,
cancer, heart and lung disease and other conditions
including autoimmune diseases.
• Wash and dry hands
frequently, cover coughs and sneezes and stay home if you
are sick.
The seasonal influenza vaccination programme is now winding down. Over 1.045 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine – a record volume – were distributed this year.
Subsidised vaccine remains available for
eligible persons, with two brands on offer - Intanza
(approved for those 18 to 59 years old) and Vaxigrip (for
all ages). However, uptake has slowed markedly in recent
weeks. This is expected given that the subsidised vaccine
has now been available for six months and we are now well
through the normal flu
season.
ENDS
Please
attribute this statement to Dr Mark Jacobs, Director of
Public Health
For health information and advice,
call Healthline 0800 611 116.
For latest updates on
Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu), visit http://www.moh.govt.nz.
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