3 deaths linked to Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update Ninety-five

The Ministry can sadly report three deaths linked to swine flu.

The Chief Coroner has today confirmed that two people have died, with their deaths linked to swine flu. A statement from the Chief Coroner is being issued.

A 19 year old man died on Sunday 28th of June 2009 in Hamilton. It is unknown at this stage if this person had underlying medical conditions.

A 42 year-old man died on Thursday 2 July 2009 in Christchurch, with underlying medical conditions. The Coroner considers it is strongly probable that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) was a major factor in the deaths of both men.

In the third case, Capital and Coast District Health Board has advised that a young girl, with underlying medical conditions, died this morning in Wellington Hospital. She had earlier tested positive to swine flu.

Minister of Health Tony Ryall says, "The Ministry of Health and I express our sincere condolences to the each of these families."

"The families have asked for privacy at this time and I'm sure this will be respected. Swine flu is here for quite some time and it is continuing to spread throughout the community, but there is no cause for alarm."

Dr Mark Jacobs, Director of Public Health says, "There is no need to change our management approach at this stage but we remain vigilant. For most New Zealanders, swine flu will be a mild illness, but in some instances, the infection can cause more severe illness and in a few tragic instances, death."

Latest Numbers

The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is 945, up from 912 yesterday. The number of probable cases remains unchanged at 61 since yesterday.

The cumulative total of confirmed cases by region are:

Northland (20), Auckland (202), Waikato (45), Bay of Plenty/Lakes (29), Gisborne (2), Hawkes Bay (75), Taranaki (3), Wanganui/Palmerston North (14), Wellington (292), Nelson/Marlborough (19), Canterbury (230), Otago/Southland (14).

International Update from the World Health Organization

WHO figures were last updated on 3 July 2009 at 09:00 GMT, where 89,921 cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) 09 infection have been reported internationally, including 382 deaths.

The WHO figures include a breakdown of the number of laboratory-confirmed cases by country (www.who.int).

ENDS

For health information and advice, the public should call Healthline 0800 611 116.

For media queries related to this update, please call the National Health Coordination Centre, Communications Desk at +64 (04) 816 3660 or +64 (021) 243 6805