Swine flu update 24.7.09

Swine flu update 24.7.09

Canterbury’s seven rural Flu Centres are being “well attended” by people with influenza, says Head of the Canterbury Primary Care Pandemic Group Dr Phil Schroeder.

Dr Schroeder said, like those attending Christchurch’s St Asaph St Flu Centre, most people visiting the rural centres were generally experiencing more severe flu symptoms.

Children under four years old are the most prevalent age group visiting the Flu Centres, with the average age of all patients being around 15 years old.

Since they opened on Monday, the Rolleston and Rangiora Flu Centres have seen a steady stream of patients. The Rolleston Flu Centre has been seeing 11-12 patients each day while the Rangiora Flu Centre saw 34 patients on Monday and has seen 15-20 patients every day since. Both centres are open from 1-5pm each day.

In Ashburton, about 10-20 patients have been visiting the Flu Centre each day, with a total of nine attendances yesterday. The other smaller Flu Centres at Waikari, Akaroa, Kaikoura and Methven are typically seeing about three to four patients each day. All these Flu Centres opened last month.

As expected, opening the Rolleston and Rangiora Flu Centres has had an impact on the number of attendances at the Christchurch Flu Centre, which had a total of 81 attendances yesterday.

He said medical staff in the rural areas had done a “sterling job” in setting up the Flu Centres, often with limited resources. “They are all champions…what they have all achieved in such a short time is just phenomenal.”

Dr Schroeder said that although attendances had dropped at most of the Flu Centres in the past week due to school holidays, staff were cautiously waiting to see what impact children returning to school this week would have on the number of flu patients.

He said most people were continuing to heed advice that they were able to manage at home with plenty of rest and fluids and by taking paracetamol for fever or headaches.

People who are worried about their flu symptoms, are pregnant or have underlying health conditions, such as asthma, should call the Canterbury Flu Line on 0800 37 30 37 for advice. An appointment will be made with a Flu Centre if necessary.

ENDS

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