NZ1 passengers contacted, screening underway

Auckland Regional Public Health Service

MEDIA RELEASE
28 April 2009 1540

NZ1 passengers contacted, screening underway

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) continues to manage the contact tracing of passengers on flight NZ1 that arrived in Auckland at 0500 on 25 April 2009.

All passengers, who provided sufficient contact information and who live in Auckland, have now been contacted by ARPHS.

Contact details for passengers on flight NZ1 who are living outside of the Auckland region have been given to their local public health services for follow-up.

“There are a number of passengers on flight NZ1 whose contact information was insufficient. We are working extremely hard to trace these people and have a team dedicated to ensuring that we are able to make contact with them”, says Dr Julia Peters, Clinical Director, ARPHS.

“Anyone who was on this flight and who has not been contacted by their public health service should call the free phone helpline - 0800 FLU LINE / 0800 358 5463 – for immediate advice”, adds Dr Peters.

The free phone helpline continues to be answered by the ARPHS contact team, ensuring that callers are provided with correct information and advice about their individual situation.

“We are also continuing to liaise with Rangitoto College to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information as possible”, adds Dr Peters.

A team of doctors and nurses from ARPHS have been and will continue to be based at Auckland Airport to screen passengers arriving from affected areas. Passengers are also being briefed by in-flight attendants about the situation prior to disembarking the plane.

“All passengers from flight NZ1 are being treated with Tamiflu. Those who are symptomatic are being advised to stay at home along with those living in the house.

“Those on flight NZ1 who have no symptoms are also being advised to stay at home, however others living in the same house are able to go about their usual routines and do not need to be quarantined”, says Dr Peters.

People who have travelled to affected areas (Mexico or North America) in the past two weeks, including those from flight NZ5, which arrived in Auckland at 0630 on 25 April, and who have flu-like symptoms, should stay at home and phone their GP immediately to discuss their symptoms prior to visiting the GP surgery.

Those who have been to affected areas, including those from flight NZ5, who have no current symptoms, should continue with life as normal.

Anyone who has not been to an affected area, but who has flu-like symptoms, should treat symptoms as they would normally.

ENDS

© Scoop Media