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The World Health Organisation has declared the influenza H1N1 Swine Flu outbreak
as a Pandemic and moved to a Phase 6 alert which recognises widespread community
transmission of the virus around the world.
Phase 6 means that WHO considers that a global pandemic is underway –
it means nothing about the severity of the illness or this strain of influenza,
rather it relates to how quickly and how wide the virus is spreading.
New Zealand has a comprehensive Influenza Pandemic Action Plan and has been
planning and preparing since ANZAC weekend (25 April) when the first suspected
cases were identified in New Zealand. The escalation by the WHO means our level
of alert will also increase, but in practical terms, people will see little
immediate change in our response.
The focus and response of New Zealand Health services will be governed by events
here, not overseas. On the evidence we have so far, all confirmed NZ cases are
travel related or close contacts of travellers – there is no evidence
of community spread.
At the moment we are continuing our containment efforts, as every week we buy
is important for delaying the peak of infection out past winter when hospitals
are under most pressure, and giving families, schools and businesses a chance
to prepare.
The way the virus has spread in Australia is what we’re likely to see
here – the numbers will increase and at some stage we will have community
spread.
At that point we will increase our emphasis on managing cases in the community
and treat it like all flu – the difference is that many more people will
be affected because the population is not immune to this new virus. While swine
flu has been relatively mild so far, it will be serious for some.
The Ministry of Health advice is that people who have travelled overseas but
who are well on their return or arrival do not need to be routinely excluded
from school or work on their return.
At this time, the Ministry of Health is not recommending cancelling or postponing
overseas travel during the upcoming school holidays which start on Saturday
4 July.
The situation in both New Zealand and internationally is being constantly reviewed,
but it is not possible to predict what the situation will be in New Zealand
or other countries in early July.
To protect yourself and others
Anyone who has recently travelled overseas and is ill with influenza symptoms
is advised to phone their GP or Healthline (0800 611 116) for medical advice.
Do not turn up at a hospital or medical centre before doing this as you can
spread germs to other people.
Signs and symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose,
body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also experience diarrhoea
and vomiting.
Hand hygiene is still the single most effective measure in protecting yourself.
Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.
Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or
mouth as germs spread this way.
Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette. This means covering your nose and
mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and disposing of the tissue in
a lined rubbish bin with a lid or plastic bag.
Sick people should stay home until they are well, rather than going to school
or work. Try to avoid contact with sick people and reduce time spent in crowded
settings. If you become sick, stay home for seven days after your symptoms begin
or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This
is to keep you from infecting others.
News is included on the IvyRose website to inform visitors
about current health issues, but not to endorse any particular view or activity.
Any views expressed iin the article above are not necessarily those of IvyRose
Ltd.. Material in this news item was released by the New Zealand based source
listed below on 12 June 2009
and may have been edited (e.g. in style, length, and/or for ease of understanding
by our international readers) for inclusion here. For further information, please
visit their website.
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