Swine Influenza – a Taranaki update

June 18, 2009

Taranaki DHB’s Public Health Unit is following up on three cases of suspected swine flu.

All have recently travelled to Australia and have flu like symptoms. They have been placed in home isolation pending lab results.

There are three further contacts in voluntary home isolation.
To date there have been no confirmed cases of Influenza A H1N1 (Swine flu) in Taranaki.
The Ministry of Health advises that for most people who have this virus, their illness will be mild to moderate, although unpleasant. If you have mild symptoms, be prepared to look after yourself at home. People who are sick should stay away from work and school.
Basic hygiene measures are important for individuals, schools and organisations. These include staying at home if you are sick, hand washing, and covering coughs and sneezes.

Taranaki Medical Officer of Health Dr Penny Hutchinson encourages Taranaki residents to stock up on essential supplies, including non-perishable food, in case they are placed in home isolation. “People should have enough food to last at least seven days,” she says.

“It is important that children who are sick, should stay home from pre-school or school until they are well,” said Dr Hutchinson.

“If you have flu like symptoms drink plenty of liquids, take panadol regularly and stay at home until the symptoms have gone. If your condition worsens and you need to see a doctor please phone first.

People who have been overseas in the last four days and have flu-like symptoms should phone Healthline on 0800 611 116.  If they are advised to seek medical attention they should phone their GP.

Dr Hutchinson reminds people not to visit patients in hospital if they have symptoms of a respiratory illness.

For more information on swine flu visit www.tdhb.org.nz or www.moh.govt.nz. For travel advice visit www.safetravel.govt.nz
Advice on general preparedness can be found on the inside cover of the Yellow Pages, or the Get Ready Get Thru website www.getthru.govt.nz

For more information contact:

Sue Carrington
Media Advisor
Phone 021 367 789

Last updated: Friday, June 19, 2009