The numbers of people diagnosed with swine influenza A(H1N1) on the West Coast still stands at forty confirmed cases from both urban and rural areas.
The level of illness would be much higher than the number of laboratory-confirmed cases reported daily suggests because laboratory testing is presently done only in the management of severe cases. Also, many people with swine flu are able to look after themselves at home and do not need to see their GP.
Director of Public Health Dr Mark Jacobs today stressed the importance of continued vigilance, saying the pandemic is still likely to be in its early days.
"There is no reason for either panic or complacency. Since the first reported cases on Anzac weekend in April, we have continued to learn more and more about this infection."
"Around the world, the pandemic is still of moderate severity. However, the threat from this new virus is real and something we are likely to have to face for some time yet," Dr Jacobs said.
"Like seasonal influenza, the pandemic virus is transmitted easily by exposure to infected droplets from coughing or sneezing. But since most people have little or no immunity to this new virus, we expect that it will cause more infections than are seen with seasonal flu."
"It is likely that by the end of the pandemic, many New Zealanders will have caught it at some point. The disease continues to be mild to moderate for the vast majority of people infected, though some people are experiencing more severe illness," according to Dr Jacobs.
"What we know is that most of the severe cases occur in people with significant underlying health conditions. Pregnant women also appear to be at higher risk for complications."
Dr Jacobs said "our health services have been coping well, though the increasing number of cases continues to put pressure on GPs and hospitals."
There have now been 11 deaths in New Zealand linked to the pandemic. All who have died had underlying health conditions. Seventy-one people are currently in hospital after contracting the virus, with 24 of those in intensive care. The are currently no people in West Coast hospitals as a result of the swine influenza A(H1N1).
There are three key actions that can lessen the risks of contracting or passing on influenza.
For more information please contact
Bryan Jamieson
Community Liaison Officer
West Coast DHB
PO Box 387
Greymouth 7840
Phone (DDI): (03) 769-7665
Mobile: 027 245-9595
Email:
or
Dr Cheryl Brunton
Medical Officer of Health, West Coast
Community and Public Health
3 Tarapuhi Street
PO Box 443
Greymouth
Phone: (03) 768-1160
Fax: (03) 768-1169