Auckland child tests positive for Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

Staff and children attending the Tama Ale Eleele A'oga Amata child care centre in Wylie Road, Papatoetoe, South Auckland to be offered Tamiflu and asked to stay in isolation.

A one-year-old child from South Auckland was diagnosed as having Influenza A (H1N1) “Swine flu” this morning. The child is currently recovering at home.

The child attended the Tama Ale Eleele A'oga Amata child care centre on a number of occasions earlier this week.

This afternoon public health nurses and doctors have visited the family of the child and the day care centre to assess the situation and commence the usual management of the situation. Public health staff will be ensuring swabs have been taken from individuals who are symptomatic and that they are in isolation and being treated with Tamiflu. Public health staff are contacting families who have children at the centre.

Families from the centre may call the Auckland 0800 FLU LINE (0800 358 5463) for further information and advice.

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service understands that 37 children are enrolled in the centre and that there are seven staff.

It appears that the child became ill after its family returned from Melbourne on 26 May. Given the time delay between the arrival of the flight and this confirmed case, we are considering what follow-up of passengers on the flight is required.

The Ministry of Health and the Auckland Regional Public Health Service will provide further up-dates on this situation on a regular basis over the weekend.

It’s important that anyone who has returned from overseas in the past seven days and develops influenza-symptoms phones for advice – don’t turn up at a hospital or medical centre, as this can spread germs to other people. Stay home and phone your doctor or Healthline 0800 611 116 which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for free health advice.

This child care centre will be closed on Monday, and a decision will be made as to whether it will reopen next week.

To protect the privacy of children and their families, media are requested not to photograph families and children at the child care centre.

These comments may be attributed to Dr Fran McGrath (Deputy Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health) and Dr Julia Peters (Clinical Director, Auckland Regional Public Health Service).

Signs and symptoms of influenza:
Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also experience diarrhoea and vomiting.

How to protect yourself and others:
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in a lined rubbish bin with a lid, or a plastic bag, after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water and dry them thoroughly, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you become sick, stay home for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.
Reduce time spent in crowded settings.
ENDS

For more information, please call: Ministry of Health National Health Coordination Centre, Communications Desk +64 (04) 816 3660 or +64 (0274) 346 878