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The Ministry of Health has sharply upgraded the number of people who have died from swine flu.

Up to now, the ministry has reported 20 deaths associated with the H1N1 virus. But it says it is now including provisional findings by coroners, which adds 15 to the number.

In its latest update, the ministry says the cases were in Auckland, Counties-Manukau, Canterbury, Otago, South Canterbury, Southland, Taranaki and Waikato.

The 15 deaths occurred between June and August last year, five of them in hospitals. The deputy director of public health, Fran McGrath, says the ages of the newly associated victims ranged from the late teens to the mid-50s.

Surveillance data from GP practices and Healthline for the week ending 30 April shows a continued increase in both the number of people calling healthline for free health advice on influenza-like illness, and visiting the doctor with an influenza-like illness. While numbers are still below baseline, this continued increase could signal the start of a higher level of pandemic influenza activity in New Zealand.

Surveillance programmes involving GP practices have shown a "very slight increase" in the number of influenza-like illnesses among patients in Otago-Southland, Public Health South medical officer of health Dr Marion Poore says.

However, there had been no recent confirmed cases of the swine flu pandemic strain of H1N1 virus in the southern region, Dr Poore said.
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Media Release
10 June 2010
Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) – Update 189
The number of consultations for influenza-like illness has been increasing slowly, particularly over the past two weeks. Many general practices are seeing more young children who are unwell. There is certainly evidence of winter illnesses in the community and the predominant influenza virus is likely to be the pandemic strain.

Healthline, New Zealand's free health 24 hour health advice line is also seeing a steady increase in the number of calls regarding people with influenza-like illnesses - there's been a noticeable increase in the number of people calling for advice about illness in young children.
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Health officials hope a massive uptake of the flu vaccine will help slow a second wave of swine flu.

Eighteen cases have been reported this year, including six people admitted to hospital and one to intensive care, but the Health Ministry has prepared for more.

A pupil from Berhampore Primary School in Wellington was sent home with suspected swine flu on Monday.

Principal Mark Potter said it was "highly likely" the pupil had swine flu and the school was being cautious.

Ministry public health director Mark Jacobs said there had been a noticeable increase in influenza during the past three weeks and more swine flu cases could surface.

"We don't know for certain it won't be as bad as last year so we will have to keep a close eye on the situation. We are ready to act.

"A great majority of people won't go to the doctor and so, just like last year where the number of confirmed cases was the tip of iceberg, that will be the case this year."

This year, a record one million people have received a flu shot, which includes a swine flu vaccination. The vaccine is free for people over the age of 65 and people under 65 with a long-term health condition such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, asthma, kidney disease or cancer. The free vaccine is available till the end of the month.

More than 3100 cases of swine flu were confirmed in New Zealand during the peak of the pandemic last year, including 158 people who were admitted to Wellington Hospital. Swine flu was linked to the deaths of 20 people.

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First swine flu case confirmed
By EMMA BAILEY - The Timaru Herald Last updated 05:00 18/06/2010SharePrint Text Size Relevant offers
A 16-year-old South Canterbury girl has the first confirmed case of swine flu this winter, with a wave of the illness predicted in the region.

Last year 16 people were admitted to Timaru Hospital with influenza-like illness. Two were confirmed as having H1N1 or swine flu. One of those patients was admitted to the intensive care unit and later died.

The case confirmed yesterday was the first in South Canterbury so far this winter, acting South Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, Dr Rachel Eyre, said. The girl had visited her GP with flu symptoms and laboratory testing confirmed swine flu.

"The case is being managed appropriately by the GP, using Tamiflu, and the teenager is recovering at home," she said.

"A second wave of swine flu has been anticipated and the health sector has plans in place to respond appropriately. I cannot predict how many cases we will get this winter, or whether it will reach the same level as last year."

Nationally this winter flu season there have been 19 confirmed cases of swine flu, including one admitted to an intensive care unit.

Dr Eyre said vaccination gave the best protection. Flu shots were still available from GPs and were free for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with long-term health conditions, and the very overweight.

In South Canterbury, 12,940 (24 per cent) of people had received a flu shot up to April 30 this year.

"If you haven't yet been immunised, it's important to get the vaccine as early as possible, as it takes a up to a fortnight for the vaccine to offer full protection. Young children also need a longer time as they require two doses a month apart."

The first confirmed case of swine flu in South Canterbury last winter was on June 26.

At the time testing stopped last year, there were 73 confirmed cases in South Canterbury.

A recent study estimates that 1.26 million or 29 per cent of New Zealanders had immunity to the pandemic influenza virus by March this year.

Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 – Update 192
Thursday, 1 July 2010, 5:02 pm
Press Release: Ministry of Health
1 July 2010

Media Release

Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) – Update 192


Overall influenza activity is gradually increasing and is at the level usually seen at this time of year. The pandemic influenza virus is circulating in our communities, though the rate of consultation for influenza-like illness identified through sentinel general practices remains below the baseline level.
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