MDHB News

Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

The World Health Organization has announced the shift to a post-pandemic period, they have also emphasized that some countries, such as New Zealand, will still see significant levels of H1N1 transmission.

Levels of the H1N1 influenza virus in New Zealand are showing a lot of regional variation, with central areas of the North Island being particularly hardest hit at the moment (23/08/2010).

Dr, putting on mask.

Getting prepared and looking after yourself

Go to www.fluinfo.org.nz for lots of easy to understand information. The site, which was developed for Canterbury, provides straight forward answers to lots of questions about Swine Flu, and suggestions on how best to deal with it.

School and Early Childhood Centre Information

Latest information for School and ECC from MidCentral Public Health Services, Medical Officer of Health.

Residential Homes and Institutions Information

Latest information for Residential Homes on managing cases of Influenza-like Illness (ILI).

Signs and symptoms of influenza

Signs and symptoms of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also experience diarrhoea and vomiting. Sick people should stay home until they are well, rather than going to school or work.

What to do if you are sick, or caring for someone who is sick?

Try to avoid contact with sick people and reduce time spent in crowded settings. If you become sick, stay home for seven days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep you from infecting others. Most people will be able to safely recover at home.

You should seek medical advice if necessary (by phone first), for example if your condition worsens. This is particularly important for people with underlying medical conditions who are at greater risk of developing complications from influenza. If you need medical advice, please phone Healthline 0800 611 116 in the first instance, or your GP. Do not turn up at a hospital or medical centre before doing this, as you can spread germs to other people.

If you are caring for someone with the flu, watch for signs that they may need further medical attention, including: difficulty breathing, chest pain, blueness around the lips, inability to keep fluids down, becoming less alert or developing confusion. More information can be found on the Victorian Health website and Centre for Disease Control website.

General readiness

Be prepared - this is the time for people to make sure they’re prepared to be self-sufficient for an extended period of time, should they need to. This means you should have enough food water and basic medical supplies including paracetamol or ibuprofen, as well as regular medications, nappies for babies, cleaning products, tissues and bathroom supplies for at least a week.

How to protect yourself from influenza

Hand hygiene is still the single most effective measure in protecting yourself. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them thoroughly.
Alcohol-based cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread this way.
Practise good cough and sneeze etiquette. This means covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and disposing of the tissue in a lined rubbish bin with a lid or plastic bag.

Checklists and advice on how individuals and families can prepare for a pandemic are available on the Ministry of Health's website.