Officials are investigating 56 cases of suspected swine flu, on top of the 10 people from Rangitoto College who have tested positive for influenza A, Health Minister Tony Ryall announced this morning.
"There are 10 probable cases – those are the Rangitoto cases – plus an additional 56 people have presented with symptoms," he told a media conference in Wellington.
"These are people who have been in Mexico or the United States in the last two weeks. They are people who may or may not have influenza A."
Swine flu - a strain of influenza A - is suspected of causing at least 149 deaths in Mexico and infecting nearly 2000. Cases have also been reported in the United States, Canada, Spain and France.
<snip>
Anyone who had returned from the United States or Mexico in the past two weeks and displayed flu-like symptoms should be in touch with their general practice, he said.
But Mr Ryall said many New Zealanders would be getting the flu soon because it is the season for flu and those patients should respond in the way they normally would.
<snip>
Passenger screening
Health officials are now screening all passengers arriving in New Zealand from North America.
The ministry wants anyone who travelled to Mexico or North America in the past fortnight contact to Healthline on (0800) 611-116 for information. It says they should seek medical advice if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches and fatigue.
Dr Peters said the Auckland public health service had been flooded with calls from people who were on the same flights as the college students.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10569068&pnum=0
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
