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Source: ONE News -
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Twenty-two students, may have been infected with the deadly Swine Flu, which the World Health Organisation warn could start a global epidemic.
The students, believed to be senior students, arrived back to
New Zealand via Los Angeles on Saturday, after a language trip to
Mexico.
Many have been showing flu like symptoms, and although tests have
been completed, the results have not yet been released to the
public or media.
Three teachers also accompanied the students on the three week trip.
The group of students and teachers are remaining in home
isolation until preliminary test results are known and advice has
been given to the families regarding infection control
precautions.
A group of students from Northcote College on the North Shore, have
also recently returned from Mexico.
Clinical Director of Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Dr Julia Peters says "We are taking this very seriously and doing everything necessary to manage this situation in Auckland. The Ministry of Health is managing the response to this issue at a national level."
The Ministry of Health issued an alert following an outbreak of swine flu in Mexico and the US.
More than 80 people in Mexico are believed to have died and over 1300 are sick as a result of catching swine flu which has led to the closure of schools in Mexico City.
Public health authorities are warning people who have returned to New Zealand from the United States and Mexico to check with their doctors if they have symptoms of respiratory illness.
Advice from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service
The best things you can do to stop the spread of any type of
influenza virus is to:
- Stay at home and away from others if you are sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue
- Put used tissues into a rubbish bin
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth - germs spread that
way
- Be careful to wash hands often with soap and dry them
thoroughly
- Keep surfaces clean at home, school and work.
Anybody experiencing warning signs of severe influenza illness such as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe vomiting or if a child is not responding or is difficult to wake up, should get urgent medical attention.
Have you been affected by the swine influenza? Are you a relative of one of the people affected? Email us at news@tvnz.co.nz.