Police recruit tests positive with H1N1 virus

A recruit training at the Royal New Zealand Police College in Porirua has tested positive for the H1N1 virus or swine flu. The recruit is being treated with Tamiflu and being cared for in isolation, and is making a good recovery.

The College has identified the direct contacts of the ill recruit and a number of other recruits with flu-like symptoms. They are also being treated with Tamiflu and/or cared for in isolation.

Police national manager of training Superintendent Mike Wilson has taken the step of postponing all new courses planned to be held at the College over the next week as a practical response to minimising further spread of the virus. The college is also making contact with those who have attended courses recently to allay any fears.

"In an institutional environment such as ours, the spread of this virus was somewhat inevitable and we have established response plans in place," he said. "We are working in partnership with Public Health to isolate and contain as much as we practically can and have been reinforcing prevention strategies already in place with our staff around maintaining good hygiene practices.

"We are contacting our staff today to advise them of the situation and give them the message that if they have flu-like symptoms, they should stay home."

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