13 confirmed Swine Flu cases, 104 suspected as Tamiflu goes on sale tomorrow

New Zealand Health Minister Tony Ryall confirmed at today's press conference there are 13 confirmed cases, 104 suspected cases and many more in isolation.

The country remains in code yellow as public health officials aim to contain and mitigate the spread of Swine Flu.

The World Health Organisation today raised the influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5, with 33 countries having confirmed or suspected cases. New Zealand is in phase 5.1 but is not escalating pandemic planning.

The location for a community based assessment centre will be finalised in the next 24hrs but is most likely to be at Middlemore Hospital. The centre will provide clinical assessments with treatment and additional isolation if required. More centres could be established as the situation evolves.

Health officials said the number of suspected cases continues to grow as would be expected with influenza. This is the expected pattern as people come from the effected area or have been in contact with infected people.

The next batch of results is expected around midday today which will tell if the cases are a form of influenza A or not.

The ESR lab in Upper Hutt is increasing its capacity in the virology lab and is working with other labs to do part of the sequencing. Testing can be done locally for influenza A, and then H1. If samples test positive for both then they will be sent to Melbourne.

Tamiflu will be available in New Zealand over the counter at pharmacies from tomorrow. Health officials said there is guidance around being able to buy Tamiflu and the sale needs to be appropriate. Adults must show early symptoms of the flu otherwise they need to go to their GP.

If people have flu symptoms and have been in effected areas the advice is to phone your GP and arrange to be assessed.

Health officials were unsure if the sale of Tamiflu was legal on TradeMe.