Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update Fifty

Case numbers in New Zealand remain stable, but strengthening the messages to overseas travellers is being planned as the number of overseas cases being notified to the World Health Organisation continue to increase.

New Zealand continues its efforts to contain the influenza A (H1N1) swine flu virus and prevent community transmission.

There remains no evidence of community spread of the virus in New Zealand. All of New Zealand’s cases had recently returned from travel in affected areas or were close contacts of cases. But as more countries report cases and more see local spread of the virus, it will become increasingly difficult to keep influenza A (H1N1) out of New Zealand.

Health authorities are working closely with Tourism New Zealand to look at ways of getting more information through to travellers arriving in New Zealand over the winter.

Anyone who has recently travelled overseas and is ill with influenza symptoms should phone their GP. Anyone who is unwell should not travel. Advice for New Zealanders traveling or living overseas is available on the MFAT website (http://www.safetravel.govt.nz).

New Zealand situation
There are no new cases of Influenza A (H1N1) infection in New Zealand. The cumulative total of known past infections remains at nine, with all cases fully recovered. The cumulative total of past probable cases remains unchanged at 10.

There are currently 25 suspected cases (up from 19 yesterday).

The numbers of suspected cases fluctuate as more people with symptoms arriving from affected areas are assessed (treated and isolated), and as laboratory testing rules out some suspected cases.

There are ten people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu, up from 7 yesterday. The numbers of people in isolation vary according to when they complete 72 hours of the five-day course of Tamiflu.

International Update from the World Health Organisation
As of 06:00 GMT, 25 May 2009, 46 countries (up 3) have officially reported 12,515 (up 493) cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 91 deaths (up 5).

The breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country is given in the WHO website (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_05_23/en/index.html).

Regular updates on the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak are available on the WHO website on a regular basis (www.who.int).

This information can be attributed to Dr Fran McGrath, Deputy Director of Public Health.