Update on Health Response to Novel A H1N1 Threat

MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 18 June 2009 1645 hours
Update on Health Response to Novel A H1N1 Threat

Public health staff have been maintaining very close contact with Rotorua Boys’ High School, following confirmation yesterday that a Year 11 student has Novel A (H1N1) 09.

Public health staff say that they are now aware of a second student in year 11 who has influenza symptoms. This student is being considered a probable case and is now in isolation. Public health staff have been consulting with the school and both have agreed, as a precautionary measure and to prevent the spread of infection, that all year 11 students stay at home for the next four days.

This means the students are being asked to stay home from school on Friday 19 June and Monday 22 June, and to not take part in any extra curricular school activities over the weekend. Medical Officer of Health Dr Neil de Wet says Rotorua Boys’ High School Principal Chris Grinter says this means the year 11 boys are being asked to have no involvement in weekend sporting and school activities.

Dr de Wet says if any of the year 11 boys become unwell over the coming days they are asked to call their GP, and to not return to school on Tuesday 23 June.

The year 11 boy confirmed announced yesterday has no significant travel history, so is regarded as a case of community transmission of the virus. The boy’s parents and older brother are at home under isolation or quarantine and being treated with tamiflu.

There are still five confirmed cases of novel A (H1N1) 09 reported across the Bay of Plenty and Lakes DHB areas. Two are from the Bay area and two are from Rotorua in the Lakes district. The fifth case was a child from overseas who has left the Lakes district.

Public health staff report they are managing approximately a further 70 people. (Please note that some people are coming out of isolation or quarantine at different times, hence the change in the numbers on a daily basis).

GPs across the two districts are being inundated with calls from people concerned that they might have the new flu, Novel A (H1N1) 09 Public health staff say it would help ease the workload of health professionals if people are aware of the difference between a cold and influenza, which is accompanied by some or all of the following symptoms:
• Fever and chills
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Body aches and pains
• Fatigue
Dr de Wet says influenza makes people feel miserable and is much more serious than a common cold. Influenza may leave you feeling ill for up to seven to10 days. Most people suffer from a high fever and may require bed rest. Those affected can also suffer from shivering attacks, muscular pains, headaches a dry cough, possible vomiting and there can be complications like pneumonia. In contrast, a cold has much less severe symptoms and they generally last only two to four days. High fever is less common and shivering attacks and severe headaches are rare. Muscular pains and vomiting are infrequent and the cough will be less severe.

Dr de Wet says for most people swine flu is a moderate illness that can safely be managed at home, but just as with any strain of influenza, for some people it may be severe. He adds that people with underlying medical conditions who get influenza should seek medical advice early if their condition worsens.

A number of public health nurses have been redeployed to assist with the Toi Te Ora Public Health response. They are assisting with providing telephone advice to health professionals across the Lakes and Bay of Plenty DHB areas, and with contact tracing of people across the two areas.

People needing need medical advice are asked to please phone Healthline 0800 611 116 in the first instance, or their GP. Do not turn up at a hospital or medical centre before phoning ahead as this could help spread germs to other people. People are asked to avoid going to an Emergency Department unless they have a genuine emergency.
ends

Issued on behalf of Incident Controller for Joint Lakes and Bay of Plenty Pandemic Planning Committee, Lesley Yule

Recommended Measures to Help Prevent the Spread of Flu

Good hygiene is the most important step in preventing the spread of influenza and other winter viruses:

• Wash hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and dry hands well on a regular basis
• Alcohol-based hand gel can also be used if soap and water are not readily available
• Try to stay a metre away from sick people.
• If you are ill do not go to work or school – stay at home.
• Keep coughs and sneezes covered, and dispose of tissues in a covered, lined rubbish bin. Remember to wash your hands afterwards.

Monitor your health:

• If you develop flu-like symptoms when you return to New Zealand after travelling, you should seek medical attention immediately.
• Ring first if possible.
• Tell the health care provider who sees you that you have been travelling.

ENDS

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