All clear in the Waikato

Clearance of all Waikato’s possible cases of Influenza A (H1N1) came today following three negative test results for “swine flu”.

Despite getting the all clear, Waikato District Health Board remains in Coordinated Incident Management Structure (CIMS) and reports to the Ministry of Health on a daily basis.

Medical officer of health Anita Bell said precautions should remain in place.

“While all our possible test results have come back negative to Influenza A (H1N1) so far, there are still people returning to New Zealand daily who have travelled to the areas of concern - Mexico, USA and Canada - and the Ministry of Health’s code yellow status is still in place,” she said.

“Besides that, we are at the time of year in New Zealand where seasonal influenza is of concern, and people must remember their cough and sneeze etiquette, social distancing and good hand hygiene - particularly if they or their close contacts are unwell.”

Dr Bell said she is pleased with the process of treatment and management from the time of possible case notification in the Waikato.

This involves immediate testing, isolation and putting possible cases and their household contacts on Tamiflu.

“We are still wary of the possibility of Influenza A (H1N1) in the Waikato, but are also very pleased for all those who have been through testing and isolation, that they did not have swine flu after all,” said Dr Bell.

Anyone with an influenza-like illness, who developed symptoms within seven days of travel to America, Canada or Mexico, should call their general practitioner or the medical officers of health immediately.

Waikato Public Health Unit contacts:

On-call health protection officer (021 999 521).
On-call medical officer of health (021 359 650).

For more information, please visit www.waikatodhb.govt.nz or www.moh.govt.nz