New Zealand situation – Updated numbers

The number of confirmed and probable cases reported to the Ministry of Health as at 3:00pm today are:

Five confirmed cases of Influenza A (H1N1) – no change since this morning’s update.
14 probable cases – this is down one since this morning’s update as one person’s H1N1 test returned negative.
As at 3:00pm today, the number of suspected cases and people in isolation and being treated, as advised to the Ministry of Health are:

84 suspected cases – (This is up from 79 this morning)
The latest figures show 358 people in isolation or quarantine and being treated with Tamiflu. These are people who have flu-like symptoms within seven days of having been in an area of concern or are close contacts of cases.
The Ministry of Health acknowledges that having your travel plans disrupted by being placed in isolation and asked to stay put until you are no longer infectious (either because test results rule out Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu, or you have completed 72 hours of Tamiflu) is inconvenient.

“Public health staff are working to make sure people are well informed and as comfortable as possible while in isolation,” Dr McGrath said.

Dr McGrath said this was necessary to limit any spread of virus. “So far we’ve been successful in stopping the virus spreading in the community and this is largely due to people being understanding and cooperating,” Dr McGrath said. “I recognise that it’s a major disruption for people who have just arrived in New Zealand from an affected country to start their holiday and end up with an extended stay in Auckland, not able to leave the premises.”

Numbers of suspected cases, and those receiving treatment and in isolation, will fluctuate when more suspected cases are found, or suspected cases are ruled out.