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The Ministry of Health has upgraded its website as the first port of call for
people without symptoms of influenza wanting information about swine flu in
New Zealand. This is part of a plan to support the increasing demand on Healthline
and give New Zealanders the information they are seeking.
Information and health advice can be accessed through Healthline 0800 611 116,
however the volume of calls being received by the call centre means there may
be some delay in calls being answered. The Ministry of Health is boosting the
capacity of the Healthline call centre to try to reduce waiting times and the
Ministry apologises for delays experienced by some people. Callers to Healthline
seeking flu informaton who do not have symptoms should take the "Press
1" option. They will hear recorded information about influenza
A (H1N1) but can also opt to speak to an operator at any time. Those with symptoms
should "Press 2" to speak to a registered nurse.
The Ministry is also moving on options to provide an additional telephone advice
service for GPs.
New Zealand remains in the containment phase although planning is underway
to move to a "manage it" phase when required. While the number of
cases of the new influenza H1N1 is increasing in New Zealand, there are still
relatively few cases and only isolated instances of community transmission.
Containment involves both border management (keep it out) and cluster control
(stamp it out), but as more cases are confirmed in the community the focus will
need to shift to boosting the way care is provided in the community. The decision
on where best to direct the efforts of health professionals is reviewed daily.
Preventing, delaying and minimising the arrival of further cases of infection
into New Zealand and controlling any cases or clusters that are found in New
Zealand remains the current objective. This strategy is being kept under continual
review.
Planning for the next phase is to enable community based health services to
manage large numbers of people with influenza as well as maintain services for
patients with other illnesses. An important part of this approach will include
advising individuals how to look after themselves at home where this is possible
- in the same way they would with seasonal flu.
Information for the public is being constantly revised and improved to ensure
people have easy access to comprehensive advice about the new influenza.
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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 17 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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