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Health officials are investigating if the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, caused a Tauranga woman's death.
SunLive understands Lee Roche died at Tauranga Hospital on June 26 and the cause is thought to be H1N1.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board medical officer of Health Phil Shoemack says he is aware of the case but there is no confirmed diagnosis at this stage.

The 48 year old Tauranga woman, who died of H1N1 (swine flu), was struggling with the loss of her husband Greg, who died of cancer in August last year.
Bay of Plenty District Health Board medical officer of health Dr Phil Shoemack confirmed on Monday that Lee Roche died in Tauranga Hospital on June 26 from H1N1.


Lee Roche with husband Greg, who died of cancer in August 2009.

Family members told SunLive that one of Lee's daughters also contracted H1N1 but did not die from the virus.
It is believed Lee contracted the virus from her daughter but family members refused to comment on that.
Surviving Lee are daughters, Kate and Jodie Roche, who family members say are still struggling with the death of their father.
She wrote a book, Circle of Life, about how she and her husband dealt with his cancer treatment and on its website, www.circleoflife.co.nz, Lee's daughters have written a tribute to their mother.
"On the 26th June, 2010 Mum (Lee) passed away peacefully...adding the final chapter to her story.
"Since Dad passed away in August 2009, we have watched our Mum, a strong amazing lady, fail to overcome the overwhelming grief that accompanied the loss of her soul mate.
"Thank you to everyone for your support during this difficult journey."

When Lee died, doctors were unsure if H1N1 caused her death. They say initial information could only prove she died of an "influenza type illness", and further testing was carried out before the virus was confirmed the cause of death.
Phil says they have learnt more about H1N1 and it's thought the virus attacks healthy adults, rather than those who are already vulnerable because of age or illness.
Phil believes there were about 20 H1N1 deaths in New Zealand in 2009, but says there have been none recorded in the Bay of Plenty until now.
He believes the virus has become so widespread in New Zealand that about 70-80 per cent of influenza cases this winter will be H1N1.

About a quarter of the confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand this winter are in South Canterbury.

Eight cases of the H1N1 flu strain have been confirmed here, affecting three adults, four school children and one pre-schooler. South Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Rachel Eyre said none of the cases were serious.

Two cases have also been confirmed in Ashburton, both affecting adults.

During last year's swine flu pandemic, 73 cases of influenza were confirmed in South Canterbury before the Ministry of Health stopped testing in July. Sixteen people were admitted to Timaru Hospital, two of whom were confirmed as having H1N1 swine flu. One patient was admitted to intensive care and later died.

Dr Eyre said district health boards were not playing a significant role in managing swine flu this year. Patients were being monitored and advised by their doctors.

Ministry of Health director of public health Dr Mark Jacobs said there had been an increase in influenza cases in the past few weeks, although numbers were in keeping with a normal year. "There are no signs of a big jump like last year, but it is early days." The majority of influenza cases this year had been the H1N1 swine flu strain.

Dr Jacobs said the ministry was in "management phase" and would not attempt to contain the virus as it did at the beginning of last year's pandemic. The ministry was focused on getting as much information as possible about the influenza virus to the community.

General practitioners were free to use their own judgment when dispensing the flu medication, Tamiflu. Patients with suspected swine flu were able to obtain free Tamiflu from their doctor.

Ministry of Health research indicates just under 30 per cent of the population have already been infected with H1N1.

"We are expecting a smaller number of cases this year," Dr Jacobs said. "A lot of people have already been affected, and the main difference this year is we have a vaccine."

South Canterbury vaccination rates here compared favourably with other areas.

The ministry had extended its vaccination period to whenever stocks of the vaccine run out.

"The flu is here," Dr Eyre said. "It's not too late to get vaccinated."

A Bay of Plenty woman is believed to be the country's first death from swine flu this year.

The woman, whose details have not been released, died from complications from swine flu, or the H1N1 virus, after being in hospital for "a few weeks", Bay of Plenty District Health Board medical officer of health Phil Shoemack told the Bay of Plenty Times.

So far this year four people around the country have been treated in intensive care units for swine flu, said the Ministry of Health's director of public health Mark Jacobs.

"Overall influenza activity continues to increase and is at the level usually seen at this time of year."

The pandemic influenza virus was circulating in communities but the number of people seeing their general practitioners with flu symptoms remained below the baseline level of 50 consultations per 100,000 people, according to ministry figures.

"As was the case last year, although most people get over the infection without developing complications or becoming more seriously ill, this is not the case for everyone," Dr Jacobs said.

Swine flu is now the most common influenza virus circulating around the globe and 80 per cent of all influenza cases in New Zealand are likely to be H1N1.

Last year 20 deaths were attributed to swine flu but it is believed another 15 could be put down to the virus.

Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 update

Thursday, 15 July 2010, 3:27 pm

Press Release: Ministry of Health

Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) – Update 194

The number of people seeing their GP with influenza-like illness is gradually increasing, however, numbers are still below last year's levels and are about the same rate as we saw in 2008. The number of people phoning Healthline for advice about influenza-like illnesses is at its highest level this year with over 1000 calls in the past week.

It's not too late to get protected!

It's not too late to have your seasonal influenza immunisation - free vaccination has been extended and there are still 20,000 doses available. It's important to get the vaccine as soon as you can, as it takes a up to a fortnight for the vaccine to offer its full level of protection. Young children also need a longer time as they require two doses a month apart to be assured of best protection.

Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (Swine Flu) - Update
Friday, 16 July 2010, 4:21 pm
Press Release: Ministry of Health

Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (Swine Flu) - Update 195

A second death of a 51 year old male linked to pandemic influenza (swine flu) has been reported to the Ministry of Health.

The tragic death is an unfortunate reminder of the impact the disease can have, as the numbers of people seeing their GP with influenza symptoms slowly rise.

The death occurred in the North Island in the last two weeks, the man had an underlying health condition which was exacerbated by swine flu. Further details will be available and released at a later date.

..........continues

The death of a 51-year-old North Island man is believed the country's second linked to swine flu this year.

The Ministry of Health said the man had an underlying health condition which was exacerbated by swine flu, or H1N1 virus.

It follows the death of a Bay of Plenty woman from the virus last month.

Health Ministry deputy director of public health Fran McGrath said the tragic death was an unfortunate reminder of the impact the disease could have, as the numbers of people seeing their GP with influenza symptoms slowly rose.

Ten reported cases of swine flu in the Waikato over the past two weeks could be "the tip of the iceberg", according to health authorities.

The 10 cases, in people of all age groups, have been notified to Waikato District Health Board's Population Health, and medical officer of health Anita Bell today warned people with symptoms to be "vigilant".

"Waikato health professionals are beginning to see a number of people presenting with influenza A H1N1, the strain that was circulating last year as `swine flu' – several of whom have been admitted to hospital," she said.

"However this will be the tip of the iceberg as many cases will have mild symptoms and not require health intervention."

She said authorities had not seen anyone with life-threatening symptoms. Last week the Health Ministry confirmed that a North Island man with pre-existing health concerns had died of swine flu.