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Source: ONE News -
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New Zealand has had its first swine flu deaths following confirmation that three people who have died in the past week had the virus.
Chief Coroner, Judge Neil MacLean, said on Saturday that a 19-year-old man died last Sunday in Hamilton and a 42-year-old man died on Thursday in Christchurch.
MacLean said it was still unknown whether the Hamilton man had underlying medical conditions, but such conditions were apparent with the Christchurch case.
It was "strongly probable" that the H1N1 virus (swine flu) was a major factor in the deaths of both men.
The Hamilton victim has been named as 19-year-old Zachary Wilson who died at home.
Meanwhile, Capital and Coast District Health Board said a young girl with underlying medical conditions died on Saturday morning in Wellington Hospital. The eight-year-old had earlier tested positive to swine flu.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said he, along with the ministry, expressed sincere condolences to the each of the families involved.
"What it demonstrates to the rest of us is the seriousness of this pandemic and why we must continie a strong public health response."
Ryall said swine flu continued to spread throughout the community and would be around for some time, but there was no cause for alarm.
Director of Public Health Mark Jacobs said there was no need for New Zealand health authorities to change their management approach at this stage, but vigilance would remain.
"For most New Zealanders, swine flu will be a mild illness, but in some instances, the infection can cause more severe illness and in a few tragic instances, death," he said.
More deaths inevitable
Officials say more deaths will inevitably follow because swine flu has now spread its tentacles nationwide.
"Most of the flu in Wellington now the clinicians tell us is swine flu but in other parts of the country it might be half and half," says Jacobs.
The Christchurch City flu assessment centre is one of several run off its feet.
Dr Mick Ozimek of the Canterbury Primary Pandemic Group says up to 170 people have been coming through the centre on some days.
As of Saturday, the total number of confirmed cases in New Zealand was 945, up from 912 on Friday.
But health officials say the real figure could be 10 to 20 times higher because few suspected cases are now being swabbed and tested to save time and health resources.
And the public are listening to DHB advice, with most taking themselves home to get over it in isolation instead of going to see their doctor.
