-
The centre monitoring the flu situation - Source: ONE News -
Watch Video
-
Related
Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand's response to the threat of swine flu has been swift, thorough and appropriate.
Suspected swine flu cases are being monitored nationwide,
including Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Nelson, the West
Coast, Canterbury and Otago and some are being treated with Tamiflu
as a precaution.
Ten students from Auckland's Rangitoto have tested positive for
influenza A and are waiting the results of tests for swine flu
after returning from Mexico where the virus has has killed 103
people.
And three students from Auckland's Northcote college are also awaiting tests after returning from Mexico.
"We are doing what we can to manage the situation and the response today has been swift, thorough and appropriate for the level of risk," Key told reporters late Monday afternoon.
"This is a risk that we have been planning for ... we've done a lot of planning in the last four years. We have in place the arrangements and the resources and have exercised for this eventuality."
Key says while the situation could change, "so far we have been fortunate that only a few people that have travelled in the affected areas have displayed symptoms and to date they have been very mild."
When asked by media about travel to Mexico, Key said while there is no travel ban to the country he would like people to think very carefully about travelling there.
"In the end it is for them to assess the merits of their trip," he said.
"It's our understanding that if someone presents as unwell it's possible that Mexican authorities could actually stop them from leaving Mexico and on that basis I think New Zealanders should think very carefully before they embark on any travel."
Preparing for possible pandemic
They are dusting off old supplies of masks in pharmacies up and down the country, bought to fight a bird flu epidemic four years ago which never arrived.
But they have been flying off shelves on Monday, as have supplies of the prescription influenza drug Tamiflu, thought to be effective against this strain if taken early. They have nearly sold out of it at some pharmacies.
"We've had an avalanche of interest really right from the moment the pharmacy opened this morning, says Stuart Irvine, a Christchurch pharmacist.
Penny williamson, another Christchurch pharmacist, says they had phone calls all morning and its all gone and all the extra stock has gone as well.
This as many New Zealanders seek to arm themselves as best they can.
"We don't really want to alarm people but yes that would definitely be advisable, just to have a kit ready, with masks, with Tamiflu tablets," says Wellington pharmacist Daksha Hari.
Many GPs placed warning signs on their doors for recent travellers, complete with a mask to put on to help protect others in the waiting room.
Many on the streets are now starting to react.
"Yes, I am concerned. I think it's got the potential of being quite dangerous," says one person.
Others though still feel she'll be right.
"There's flu about at the moment all the time, always has been, and I think sometimes it only panics people," says a man.
That low-key approach though is not the response from government or from the Health Ministry's National Pandemic Response Team which has now classified the threat as phase yellow, one step away from a pandemic.
The team at the response headquarters swung into action late Saturday night when the first overseas reports flooded in. Now there are dozens on the case.
"New Zealand was one of the first to actually identify these cases. So I think you'll find our surveillance and planning really is first rate in this respect," says Stephen McKernan, Director-General of Health.
Good hygiene is going to be the most important thing.
Regional response teams have been reacting too, holding urgent meetings.
"It was shell shock yesterday when we met and started describing the situation. Today reality has still struck but we realise we actually have the plans in place," says Dr Phil Schroeder of the Canterbury Primary Care Pandemic Group.
Many involve local health officials, doctors, nursing groups, council and Civil Defence staff.
They are plans they have spent the past four years working on in the hope, now inceasingly a vain one, they would never be needed.
Officials reiterate that any suspected cases of swine flu in New Zealand so far are exhibiting only minor symptoms.
They say if you have recently returned from overseas or have been in close contact with someone who has and you are feeling ill, go to your GP.
Got an opinion on this latest health concern?
Share your thoughts on our message board below.
TVNZ is all over the swine flu story. Keep up to date with
the latest news no matter where you are with our dedicated swine
flu Twitter feed. -
http://twitter.com/SwineFluInNZ
PLUS Health correspondent Lorelei Mason will be keeping you
in the loop on how she is covering the story as it develops
-
http://twitter.com/SwineFluNZNews
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!