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Tackling swine flu reaches new stage By Lawrence JohnstonNEW Zealand health officials have moved HiNi swine flu from a containment approach to one of managing the epidemic. In a statement on June 23, Health Minister Tony Ryall said the move reflecting the wide community transmission of the flu, had been done in line with World Health Organisation recommendations. This meant that New Zealand was now treating this new flu, like the usual seasonal flu. As a result of 'tremendous efforts' by the nation's public health authorities and by primary care professionals, New Zealand had delayed the likely peak of the swine flu beyond the annual winter flu peak - the New Zealand winter currently being well underway. "As of today, 12 of the 21 District Health Board (DHB) areas are in the 'manage it' phase, with a further four expected by the weekend," he said. The decisions to transition are made by regional Medical Officers of Health and the Ministry of Health. In the coming months, the H1N1 flu would present challenges to the health system and the community. "I have been advised that this flu will become very widespread. The number of confirmed cases has grown by a fifth overnight," Mr Ryall said. This rate of spread would put pressure on hospital Emergency Departments (EDs) and GP clinics in particular. "For example, there may well be lengthier delays in EDs, and some surgery may need to be deferred because of pressure on hospital beds and staff." DHBs would be establishing flu centres as appropriate. It was even more essential now for Kiwi families to take simple precautions to prevent the flu spreading, and the government was making information widely available on how to do this. Businesses, schools and other organisations should have contingency plans for more people being away sick than usual, so that normal life could go on Following health official advice, the national tamiflu stockpile was now being used strategically. This was because in nearly all cases the flu was mild, and it was, he said, wise to conserve the nation's stockpile for a possible second more serious wave. Although the flu would become 'very widespread', it was mild, and New Zealand had the resources, plans and health professionals to deal with it, Mr Ryall said. On the same day, Tariana Turia, the minister responsible for Maori health, called for Maori people with respiratory problems to take extra caution to prevent getting the virus. She had been told by health officials that people with respiratory problems were likely to suffer more than those who didn't have breathing difficulties if they got swine flu. "It is commonly known that asthma disproportionately affects Maori and lower socio-economic groups, and therefore our people need to take even more caution and be particularly vigilant with our babies and children who are asthmatic," she said. There was 'no need for alarm', but there was a need to prepare in the various communities, to manage this flu, which was likely to continue to rise over the coming months. Mrs Turia said in practical terms this could include immediately seeking medical help if experiencing shortness of breath or flu-like symptoms, covering one's nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing and drying hands frequently and cleaning hard surfaces like door handles frequently. There were currently 303 confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand, most of which had rapidly increased over the previous week since community spread was identified. Advice is available on the Health Ministry's website www.moh.govt.nz, or via the healthline on 0800 611 116. |
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