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Tamiflu - Source: Reuters -
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Wellington has become the first region to place restrictions on who gets the anti-viral drug Tamiflu.
The region now has 51 confirmed cases, 16 of which were reported in within 48 hours.
Regional health authorities are confirming on Friday morning,
that it's likely the drug will be restricted to only the severely
sick, as the number of swine flu cases sky-rockets.
Health Minister Tony Ryall, is expected to make a announcement
regarding Tamiflu distribution later on Friday morning.
Regional Public Health medical officer Stephen Palmer says as testing centres succumbed to the volume of work it was no longer possible to distribute Tamiflu with the same freedom as during the initial outbreak.
"Only so many tests can be done in one day. If people are unwell they should stay home," he says."Only those with severe symptoms or serious health conditions will be given Tamiflu."
Meanwhile, a national support line has been set up, to help GPs struggling to cope with the rising numbers of people, fearing they have swine flu.
The helpline will provide GPs with support for any questions they have, and give up-to-date information on the swine flu situation.
The move comes, as the Ministry of Health begins a change in strategy, to manage the outbreak, rather than contain it.
The number of confirmed cases of swine flu around the country has now risen to 153.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commenthrmurphy said on 2009-06-17 @ 22:30 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am seriously concerned. The H1N1 virus is an 'unstable virus', so too is the H5N1 virus. Unstable means that it could mix or swap genetic material when exposed to other viruses. Unlike our current influenza viruses - which are stable and identifiable, this strain, although identifiable, is not stable. In Brazil there has been a mutation of the virus causing an alteration of the hemagglutinin protein. This allows the virus to infect new hosts - are those hosts human or animal? Think NZ.
zozey99 said on 2009-06-17 @ 16:18 NZDT: Report abusive post
I
phenominc said on 2009-06-17 @ 12:11 NZDT: Report abusive post
i think its funny that every single case of swine flu has to be a breaking news report. It's not like they report every single HIV report etc. TOTAL OVERREACTION!!!!!!
aqua9 said on 2009-06-17 @ 08:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
It's so convenient that this flu has come along just as the huge stockpiles of Tamiflu left over from the bird flu scare has almost reached it's expiry date. From what I can gather, this flu is not serious and don't forget that at least 300.000 people worlwide die of ordinary flu every year.
jefferytribe said on 2009-06-16 @ 17:11 NZDT: Report abusive post
I am only concerned about whether children can die from this flu. I only worry about that point. other than that, it sounds like another virus for winter to watch out for. I'm not sure if you have to go to the doc if you suspect you have it as I generally just keep my kids home and look after them if they get ill. Do you HAVE to have the tamiful stuff??