Hi , login or create a new account below

What is H1N1 (Swine Flu)?
H1N1 (referred to as "Swine Flu") is a new influenza virus causing illness in people.  This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009, but is likely to have been circulating in Mexico for some weeks before that.  Currently 33 other countries, including Mexico, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have reported people sick with this new virus.  This virus is spreading from person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread.

Why is this new H1N1 virus sometimes called "Swine Flu"?
This virus was originally referred to as "Swine Flu" because laboratory testing showed that many of the genes in this new virus were very similar to influenza viruses that normally occur in pigs.

Are there human infections with this H1N1 virus in NZ?
Yes.  Cases of human infection with this H1N1 influenza virus were first confirmed in Auckland on 29 April 2009.  To date seven cases have been confirmed all from individuals who travelled from Mexico or he US.

Is this new H1N1 virus contagious?
This is still being investigated but experts agree that the new H1N1 virus is easily spread, though most illnesses from the virus has been described as mild or moderate.

What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of this new H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue.  A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also have reported diarrhea and vomiting.  Also, like seasonal flu, in rare instances severe illness and death has occurred.

How does this new H1N1 virus spread?
The new H1N1 flu virus is thought to spread in the same way that seasonal flu spreads - by being close to a sick person who is coughing or sneezing, or by touching the virus on contaminated surfaces and then touching the mouth or nose without first washing your hands.

How long is someone infectious?
The new H1N1 flu seems to behave in the same way to seasonal flu - people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to 7 days.

Can I get infected with this new H1N1 virus from eating or preparing pork?
No.  Eating properly handled and cooked pork products will not spread the disease.

What can I do to protect myself from getting sick?
There is no vaccine available right now to protect against this new H1N1 virus.  But there are things you can do to protect your health and the health of others.

There include:

• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.  Throw the tissue in the rubbish after you use it.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.  Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.  Germs spread this way.

• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.  Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer.  This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further.

What should i do if I get sick?
If you have travelled to Mexico and North America and develop flu like symptoms within seven days of returning you should seek medical advice by ringing your GP before seeing your doctor.  If you haven't travelled to any of these countries nor been in close contact with someone who has and is sick, then you should do what you would normally do if you got the usual seasonal flu.

What is the Government doing in response to the outbreak?
The Ministry of Health has implemented its emergency response.  The Ministry's current goals are to 'keep it out' and 'stamp it out'.  This entails limiting the introduction of the disease through screening at the border, reducing spread through advice and treatment, providing information to help health care providers, public health officials and the public address the challenges posed by the new virus.  Government stocks of antiviral drugs and personal protecive equipment are hels and used to help us deal with the new flu virus.  Government holds a stokcpile of the antiviral medicine Tamiflu to treat around a third of the population and this has recently been supplemented with another 125,000 treatment courses.  Healthline (0800 611 116) which normally takes calls from individuals wanting health advice has been bolstered to allow them to take calls from the public who are concerned and are seeking advice.

What happens at the border?

All international flights into New Zealand provide information to passengers of the need to notify public health staff at the airport if they have any flu like symptoms.  The purpose of this is firstly to identify people who may need treatment, and secondly for actions to be taken to reduce the risk to the New Zealand community.

What other actions are being taken in response to the recent outbreak?

Health authorities are:

• In regular contact with the World Health Organisation to ensure we are well informed about international developments and acting in concert with global initiatives to limit the spread of the disease.

• Monitoring the spread of the disease and getting good information about individual cases in New Zealand.

• Planning for the possible need to increase or change the focus of our response.