Swine Influenza a Taranaki update

Taranaki DHB Public Health staff have been busy fielding calls and following up on travellers who may have been in contact with the Swine flu.

Four passengers who were on Flight NZ1 are in voluntary home quarantine in Taranaki. One passenger who was on NZ5 did not require any medical follow-up.

Taranaki Medical Officer of Health Penny Hutchinson said they have all been given antiviral and been asked to stay at home as a precautionary measure in case they have been exposed to swine influenza. None are showing flu-like symptoms.

Dr Hutchinson has temporarily restricted the sale of Tamiflu to ensure that only authorised supplies are given out at this time.

“The DHB has adequate supplies of the Tamiflu antiviral, and the Ministry of Health is working on authorising additional supplies to the areas that may need it. Our community should be assured that anyone who needs the antiviral will receive it through the appropriate channels,” said Dr Hutchinson.

Some Auckland Rangitoto students who were passengers on Flight NZ1, which arrived on 25 April, have been confirmed to have influenza A.

A Taranaki male student, who has recently returned from California, was tested for influenza Monday evening. He and his family are in voluntary home quarantine. The results are expected back in the next few days.

The Ministry of Health is taking the swine influenza reported in Mexico and North America seriously and has announced that the country is in Code Yellow, which is a heightened state of awareness and border management.

Taranaki DHB has put measures in place for the early detection and management of any cases of swine influenza in Taranaki.

Members of the public who have travelled to Mexico or North America in the last fortnight should contact Healthline (0800 611 116) for information about the situation.

Anyone with symptoms of a respiratory illness should phone their GP or medical practitioner and advise them if they have been in the United States or Mexico in the last two weeks.

Please do not visit patients in hospital if you have symptoms of a respiratory illness.

There is currently no vaccine available against the new swine influenza virus that has emerged in Mexico.

However, Dr Hutchinson says seasonal influenza immunisation is still worthwhile as it provides protection against other strains of the illness.

Influenza immunisation is free for New Zealanders at high risk of complications - people aged 65 and over and those with long-term health conditions such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, kidney disease, immune suppression and most cancers. It is available free from a doctor or nurse to these groups until June 30. Visit

www.tdhb.org.nz

or

www.moh.govt.nz

for up-to-date information on swine flu.

For more information contact:
Sue Carrington
Media Advisor
Phone 021 367 789