Two more confirmed swine flu cases in the Waikato

There are now four confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1), or swine flu, in the Waikato District Health Board region.

This figure is up from two cases yesterday, after medical officer of health Anita Bell was notified that a school-aged Hamilton child has tested positive to what is now being called ‘novel influenza (H1N1) 09’.

Dr Bell has been in contact with the principal of the boy’s school. The school will not close.

“The school responded appropriately, and sent the child home at the very start of his symptoms,” said Dr Bell.

“This has probably prevented a number of other children or staff from the school getting sick and they should be commended on that.”

Waikato DHB’s Population Health Service sent a letter to the families of children who share a class with the boy, as well as the rest of the school community, advising them of the situation and what to do if they have any concerns.

The boy is now well and past seven days of onset of symptoms.

Waikato’s other new confirmed case; a 25-year-old male from Hamilton, is also well. Neither of the two new cases has any obvious travel links.

The following memo went to Waikato DHB board members and staff today:

“The Ministry of Health has announced a shift to a ‘manage it’ phase for the management of Influenza A (H1N1) .

“This will see a change in focus where those with mild influenza like illnesses will be asked to stay at home until they are symptom-free. They will not need to be swabbed or receive Tamiflu.

“Those with more severe symptoms or chronic diseases will be advised to access their health care provider where their symptoms will be dealt with accordingly. If appropriate, Tamiflu and other medications will be given. Some of these cases will also be swabbed.

“Within the Waikato, we currently have four confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1), but are not yet at the stage of actioning community based assessment centres – although preparation is well underway.

“The Medical Officers of Health advise that:

“Emergency Departments – will continue triage streaming of patients with influenza-like symptoms separated from those with other ailments. Patients with flu-like symptoms are currently required to wear masks at all Health Waikato EDs and this will continue.
“Hospital – business as usual with the opportunity to isolate readily available. Two wards have been identified as able to facilitate isolation if necessary.
“Laboratories – there is a potential for Influenza A (H1N1) swabs to decrease as we move to the manage it phase as testing will only occur as above.
“Hospital staffing – to be monitored as per normal to accommodate the increased winter workload.
“Population Health – will continue with communication to appropriate groups including emergency services, community groups, local government, primary care, the press etc. and to follow-up confirmed cases. Contact tracing will cease.
“Public Health Unit watching brief – The group manager, emergency services manager, medical officer of health and communications consultant will continue to meet daily.
“Primary care – preparation is at such a stage where GPs can action community based assessment centres if demand exceeds capacity. This would occur in pockets throughout the region as opposed to a mass shift to this point.”

ENDS

Date: 19 June 2009

For more information, please contact:

Communications Desk
National Health Coordination Centre
Ministry of Health
DDI: (04) 816 3660
Mobile: 021 243 6805

OR:

Mary Anne Gill
Media and Communications Director
Waikato District Health Board
gillm@waikatodhb.govt.nz
Mobile: 021 705 213