Influenza A – Latest Update

04/05/2009 | Influenza A – Latest Update

MidCentral DHB region has no suspected cases, and one individual in quarantine after exposure to a probable case of Influenza A (H1N1) on flight NZ7 (last Wednesday) 28 April 2009.  Only passengers in close proximity to this probable case will be followed up as close contacts by Public Health staff.

At the weekend four local suspected cases were found to be negative for Influenza A  after the return of nasal swab results, and were free to leave their home isolation on completion of 72 hours of Tamiflu or when significant symptoms had resolved if still symptomatic at 72 hours.

Nationally there remain 4 confirmed cases (all connected to NZ1 0500hrs 25 April 2009) and 14 Probable Cases (13 in Auckland and 1 Hawke’s Bay).  Suspected case numbers are frequently changing as results of nasopharyngeal swabs are returned – a suspected case with a negative swab result is no longer considered to be a case of Influenza A (H1N1).

The current alert status of Influenza A (H1N1) remains unchanged internationally and nationally (WHO Phase 5, New Zealand Influenza Pandemic Action Plan Scenario 5.1, Alert Code Yellow).  This means there is spread of disease within some countries but currently no evidence of localised spread in New Zealand.

The MDHB Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is predominantly operational through the Public Health Unit EOC, which is following up notifications of suspect cases, contacts of cases, and providing regular updates of information to stakeholders.

Regular updates are also available from the Ministry of Health website www.moh.govt.nz. Healthline is available for general queries about the new strain of influenza on 0800 611 116.  Travel info is available on www.safetravel.govt.nz .