The numbers of people diagnosed with swine influenza A(H1N1) on the West Coast currently stands at fifty-one confirmed cases.
The level of illness would be much higher in the community because laboratory testing is presently done only in the management of severe cases and as part of a surveillance programme.
Many people with swine flu are able to look after themselves at home and do not need to see their GP.
Medical practices and hospitals are still concerned with people walking into the facilities with flu-like symptoms. If persons have developed symptoms which include aching limbs, temperature over 38oc chesty cough, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting or diarrhoea then they should phone the clinic, hospital or Healthline (0800 611 116). If they are advised to visit the hospital or practice then they must also phone them first.
Following the instructions given on the phone, will enable the person to be safety seen in isolation and protect other patients and the hospital or practice staff from the risk of infection. Clinics and hospitals are coping well with the upturn in consultation numbers associated with influenza currently. However this could change if the staff all become unwell as the result of a patient with influenza entering the clinic without taking these precautions.
There are three key actions that can lessen the risks of contracting or passing on influenza.
School absences
Early responses to a Ministry of Education 'snapshot' survey of all schools on Friday 31 July show that in general schools are reporting usual levels of absence for this time of year, while only a minority of the of schools report either lower or higher levels.
Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Fran McGrath says this may be because people have been taking note of the message to stay home if they are sick, to help slow the spread of influenza.
Healthline Calls
The high number of influenza-related calls to Healthline has continued over the past week, although numbers have decreased since peaks in mid-June and early July, when calls to the Healthline 0800 number exceeded 6000 a day. The number of calls answered by Healthline nurses continues to be at least 20 percent above normal levels.
GP Consultations
The data below is from ESR's sentinel general practice surveillance system and shows the highest weekly influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rates are nearly three times higher than the winter peak experienced in the last two years.
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