CDHB Swine Flu Update

CDHB Swine Flu Update

Being a little community minded will help everyone come through the current influenza pandemic in better shape, says Dr Phil Schroeder, who heads the Canterbury Primary Pandemic Group.“We are getting reports of some people being upset by notices on pharmacy, General Practice and business doors advising them not to come in if they have flu-symptoms,” he said.

“By staying at home and asking family, friends or neighbours to pick up any essential supplies you will be helping others to stay well, so that they can continue to provide health care and other services that our community needs.” Most people with the flu are able to care for themselves at home by resting, drinking plenty of fluids and taking paracetamol if they need it for a fever or headache. Anyone who is worried about their flu symptoms can call the Canterbury Flu Line on 0800 37 30 37. An appointment can be made at a Flu Centre if required.

Dr Schroeder said that as the number of people with influenza in the community increases, the number of people being seen with more severe symptoms at Canterbury’s flu centres is also increasing. Today there were 55 people with flu-like symptoms in Canterbury hospitals, 12 of whom had confirmed swine flu. Three of the confirmed cases were in the Intensive Care Unit at Christchurch Hospital.

A total of 193 people attended Christchurch’s St Asaph St Flu Centre yesterday and 266 were seen during the weekend. “People presenting at the Centre are generally sicker than they were a fortnight ago but we know that they only represent the tip of the iceberg when you think of all the people in Canterbury who are unwell at the moment and caring for themselves at home. Anecdotally our community is really feeling the effects of this pandemic now.
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As part of its efforts to reduce the spread of the disease and limit the number of people becoming sick at the same time, Canterbury District Health Board has been sending influenza information to providers of school holiday programmes and other venues families will be visiting during the school holidays.

“If your children are unwell with flu-like symptoms, you really need to keep them at home and away from others for about a week. By doing this you will be really helping to limit the effect of the flu when children return to school next week,” Dr Schroeder said.

ENDS

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