influenza

“A calm approach to this year’s Type A H1N1 version of influenza is the appropriate response” says Angela Hair spokesperson for the New Zealand Council of Homeopaths. “Staying home to rest and recover, taking extra care with hygiene and supporting the immune system is the best approach to take.”

Canterbury District Health Board’s Community and Public Health division has established a presence at Christchurch International Airport to assist passengers from overseas that identify themselves as being unwell. They are also providing information to incoming passengers about swine flu precautions in New Zealand.

The National Influenza Strategy Group (NISG) 1 confirmed today that there is currently no vaccine available against the new swine influenza virus that has emerged in Mexico.

Influenza immunisation is now available and with potentially severe strains predicted for the coming season, people are urged to get immunised as soon as possible.

New Zealand situation

Hawke’s Bay people returning from North America or Mexico within the last fortnight who have influenza like symptoms are being asked to ring their GP or nearest medical centre for advice.

The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation is strongly advising people with respiratory illnesses to try and stay out of hospital this winter by ringing their GP’s surgery about a free influenza vaccination now.

As the number of measles contacts rise Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS), Clinical Director, Dr Julia Peters is advising parents to get their children immunised now.

New Zealand health authorities are working closely with their counterparts in Tokelau to help manage an influenza outbreak affecting more than one in every ten people on the three remote atolls of Tokelau.

Nine people from Hawke’s Bay were on the same flight as the Auckland students suspected of having swine flu

Students living in close contact with others, for example student accommodation and boarding schools, need to be proactive in keeping themselves healthy, and in being careful to limit the spread of influenza if they have symptoms.

The Public Health Association (PHA) is praising the response of health officials to the Mexican swine flu.

Pregnant women or those who have given birth in the previous ten days are advised to phone their GP or the Canterbury Flu Line (0800 37 30 37) promptly if they become unwell with flu-like symptoms.

A second case of Influenza A (H1N1) has been confirmed in Canterbury,
bringing the total number of confirmed cases in New Zealand to 15.
The seven year old boy is the son of the first Canterbury case. The 50 year
old man was a passenger on Flight NZ5 which arrived in Auckland from Los
Angeles early on 31 May 2009.