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Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu - Update 110

Ministry of Health

Sunday 19 July 2009, 5:16PM

By Ministry of Health

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Thousands of students and teachers are due to go back to school tomorrow, but the Ministry of Health is advising anyone who is sick to stay home.
"If you have flu-like symptoms, stay at home until you are essentially well," says Director of Public Health Dr Mark Jacobs.

Latest Numbers

The cumulative total of confirmed cases in New Zealand is 2255, up from 2250 yesterday. The actual number of cases of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) 09
will be significantly higher, as only a small proportion of people with symptoms are being tested. This is because for most people, it's a mild illness
and they will recover readily at home without needing medical treatment.

The number of deaths from Influenza A (H1N1) 09 swine flu remains at 10. Please note these 10 deaths reported by the Ministry are deaths from swine flu,
where swine flu was a primary cause of death. The Ministry will continue to report deaths from H1N1 where it is definitive that H1N1 was the major contributing
factor to the person's death. Where people have H1N1 at the time of death, but it is unclear if it led to the death, normal pathology and testing procedures will be
carried out. It can take a considerable amount of time to determine an outcome.

Australian Situation

For the number of confirmed cases in Australia, go to the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing website at: http://www.healthemergency.gov.au/internet/healthemergency/publishing.nsf/Content/updates-19july09.htm

International Update from the World Health Organization

The World Health Organization is no longer issuing tables showing the numbers of confirmed cases for all countries. This is because there are an increasing
number of cases in many countries, including New Zealand, which is making it extremely difficult to confirm laboratory testing in an accurate and timely manner.

For more information about this reporting change go to the WHO website: http://www.who.int/en/

ENDS

Information in this update can be attributed to Director of Public Health Dr Mark Jacobs

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

For latest updates on Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu, visit http://www.moh.govt.nz

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