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New Zealand remains in the containment phase but planning is underway to move
to a “manage it” phase when required. Although the number
of cases of Influenza A (H1N1) infection is increasing in New Zealand, there
are still relatively few cases and isolated instances of community transmission.
Most people recover from infection without the need for hospitalisation or medical
care.
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 the community spread of infection remain the current objectives.
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 includes individuals
being prepared to look after themselves at home in the same way they would with
seasonal flu.
The Ministry of Health is not advising people to cancel social gatherings,
sports events and travel. However, there are practical steps that individuals
and communities can take to reduce the community spread of the virus. These
steps include practising good hand hygiene and covering coughs and sneezes.
If you are sick, stay home until you have fully recovered as you can easily
spread the germs to others.
Information for the public is being constantly revised and improved to ensure
people have easy access to comprehensive advice about the new Influenza A (H1N1)
virus.
Latest numbers
The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is 153, up 26 from 127
yesterday. The number of probable cases is 19, down from 20 yesterday.
The 26 new confirmed cases are:
Auckland – 1 case
* an 8-year-old male
Canterbury – 12 cases
* a 32-year-old (sex unknown)
* an 8-year-old female
* a 22-year-old male
* a 9-year-old female
* an 11-year-old male
* a 22-year-old female
* a 4-year-old male
* a 14-year-old female
* a 16-year-old female
* an 8-year-old male
* an 11-year-old female
* a 7-year-old male
Hawke’s Bay – 1 case
* a 2-year-old male
Wellington – 12 cases
* a 28-year-old male
* an 18-year-old male
* a 24-year-old female
* an 11-year-old male
* a 42-year-old male
* a 19-year-old female
* a 50-year-old female
* a 44-year-old female
* a 13-year-old male
* a 24-year-old (sex unknown)
* a 13-year-old (sex unknown)
* a case (age and sex unknown)
The cumulative total of confirmed cases by region are:
Northland (0); Auckland (46); Waikato (4); Bay of Plenty/Lakes (4); Gisborne
(0); Hawkes Bay (2); Taranaki (0); Wanganui/Palmerston North (1); Wellington
(44); Nelson/Marlborough (1); Canterbury (51) and Otago/Southland (0).
Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Programme
As part of the management of the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, the Ministry of
Health has purchased an extra 125,000 doses of the seasonal influenza vaccine,
which is available for immediate use.
The fewer people who contract seasonal influenza, the fewer hospitalisations
will occur. The people most at risk of complications are those who are in the
group eligible for the free programme. If more of this group are vaccinated,
it means there will be a better chance of being able to deal with the increasing
numbers of people likely to be hospitalized with complications from Influenza
A (H1N1).
The Ministry of Health is strongly encouraging frontline health workers to
be vaccinated for seasonal influenza. This means hospitals and other frontline
health services will be better able to cope with the increased demand over the
winter months.
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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 18 June 2009
and may have been edited (e.g. in style, length, and/or for ease of understanding
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