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Rangitoto student Jaimee Berkhan - Source: ONE News -
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New Zealanders should know by 10pm on Tuesday if any residents have been infected with the new virus which has killed up to 149 people in Mexico.
ONE News has learned test results will be in from Melbourne on Tuesday night on 10 of the 11 probable cases of swine flu stemming from a trip by students from New Zealand's biggest high school to Mexico.
Rangitoto College student Jamie Berkhan is finding out just how tough it is to stay put.
"You don't really realise how much you leave home 'till you are not allowed to anymore," she says.
After three weeks jet setting around Mexico, the 16-year-old is one of 25 from Rangitoto College suspected of bringing swine flu into New Zealand.
"I've had a cough and that's about it," she says.
The Ministry of Health has told Jamie she's can't get close to another person.
"When we got home we got a call saying stay at home 'cause you know it may be something quite serious. So we got isolated and we've been like that every since, she says.
The teenager has tested negative for influenza A but 11 of her
school group have the strain, activating code yellow at New
Zealand's international airports.
Initially 10 of the Rangitoto College group tested positive for
influenza A, but another person tested positive on Tuesday. Dr
Julia Peters from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service says
that result is not surprising.
"It is not unusual for this to happen and we did expect that numbers may increase within this group. The person concerned has remained at home in isolation and is being treated with Tamiflu."
The college group have been treated with Tamiflu and qaurantined at home. Three others from a Northcote College group who also returned on Saturday from a trip to Mexico have tested negative for the flu.
Now another 56 people around the country have been tested for influenza A after having returned from Mexico or the United States in the last fortnight and showing flu-like symptoms.
Among them is Alex Saunders, who returned from a cruise ship holiday which stopped in Mexico. He was given a face mask at the airport.
Back in Rotorua he has had time to contemplate his unusual arrival home.
"I was pretty shocked. I hadn't heard anything about it and I was quite nervous 'cause since I was sick and I thought I sure hope I don't have that," he says.
The 14-year-old will be kept in isolation for a week as a precaution.
"I wouldn't want him going off to school and expose other kids to it if he did have it," says. Kerry Saunders, Alex's mother.
It's likely the 10 Rangitoto students will not find out if they have been infected with swine flu until the end of the week, when their test results come back from Melbourne.
For now, Jamie Berkhan has decided to get her school work sent home.
Alert level raised
The swine flu virus has killed 149 people in Mexico and infected dozens in the United States, Canada and Europe.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has on Tuesday raised its pandemic alert level to phase 4 , indicating a significant increased risk of a pandemic, a global outbreak of a serious disease.
Prime Minister John Key says the increased rating shows an "increased possibility of a pandemic but it's not a forgone conclusion by any stretch of the imagination".
"From New Zealand's point of view I think we've got a good plan, we're administering that.
"I'm confident that we are doing everything we can."
Opposition leader Phil Goff agreed the situation was generally being handled well here.
"This is potentially a very serious situation for New Zealand and New Zealanders ... but there were contingency plans there, there was training to implement them, there is the Tamiflu available.
"All of those things are absolutely essential."
While swine flu cases have been identified in Mexico and US states, WHO and other health authorities are yet to recommend against travelling to those areas.
New Zealand's Health Ministry said it was closely following WHO
advice.
TVNZ will keep you up to date throughout the evening with the
latest on the swine flu test results. Tonight, TVNZ 7 News and
tvnz.co.nz will have full details as they happen.
Got an opinion on this new health concern? Share
your thoughts on the message board below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentalwyn said on 2009-06-18 @ 14:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
The general flu causes between 200,000 and 250,000 deaths p.a world wide. Swine flu has caused only a fraction of this number in proportion. There is a temporary cure i.e. Tami flu until a vaccine is produced for H1N1 flu. I don't understand what all the fuss is about?
Janey said on 2009-06-16 @ 09:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
I think NZ media and health service has been far too blase about this outbreak. The UK's BBC news website has been reporting symptoms and PREVENTION for weeks and has an excellent outbreak map, which clearly shows quick acceleration of the virus. The UK's health service posted information leaflets to every home WEEKS ago. My husband works in a a business where the workers come into contact with lots tourists - they only just received a booklet on the virus 2 days ago. NZ, get with the programme!
skeptic said on 2009-06-16 @ 07:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Thank you Mark Sainsbury for telling us the symptoms, and debunking the mythology. Many of us did not even know that we probably have the swine flu which is probably now widespread in our community. It was clear from the outset that authorities were not taking the drastic steps necessary to contain an epidemic. Since they have created an elaborate ritual to prove that they have done everything possible ... Thank God this was not a SERIOUS pandemic.
FightFlu said on 2009-05-04 @ 23:41 NZDT: Report abusive post
I absolutely agree Tis, this particular virus could have been a lot worse. Due to information technology these days we have highly accessible and up to date information to keep us informed, and with knowledge is power. As long as the people remain calm, and keep informed we should be able to keep the Swine Flu at a safe distance.
Tis said on 2009-05-02 @ 11:33 NZDT: Report abusive post
This scare could perhaps prepare us well for a more severe future pandemic - e.g. Ok, so all the focus is on Tamiflu - but what about ensuring enough antibiotics to treat secondary infections from a new influenca - and do we have enough of those machines in hospitals to help people breath when they are in acute respiratory distress - lets hope so!