Preparations for Response to Swine flu

Media Release

Wednesday 29 April 2009

Preparations Advance for Health Response to Swine Flu Threat

There are still no known cases of Influenza A in the Bay of Plenty or Lakes DHB areas.

Incident Controller for the Joint Bay of Plenty and Lakes Pandemic Planning Committee, Cathy Cooney says a huge amount of work has been done by staff of the Lakes and Bay of Plenty DHBs as part of the health emergency management response to the swine flu threat.

A total of nine people in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes DHB districts are in voluntary quarantine and are being monitored. Five of these were tracked off the NZ1 flight that arrived on Saturday. The five have been given Tamiflu, and none have shown any symptoms of influenza. The remaining four are from Whakatane and are not considered to require Tamiflu.

The Public Health staff have received enquiries from a further dozen people who have arrived back from travel to the affected areas, Mexico and North America. These people have been assessed by their GPs and are considered not to have any form of influenza and are free to carry on as normal.

In line with the joint pandemic/epidemic emerging infections disease response plan for the two DHBs, Lakes and Bay of Plenty DHB staff are collaborating on a joint emergency operations centre (EOC).

Provision has been made to accommodate civil defence, police and other emergency services personnel, if required. These agencies are being kept fully up to date regarding the health emergency planning activities. Discussions are being held with a range of welfare organisations as preparation, in the event of further escalation.

Cathy Cooney says members of the public can feel confident about the level of preparedness to cope with a health emergency

Toi Te Ora Public Health is working with the two DHBs, with Medical Officers of Health Drs Phil Shoemack, Jim Miller and Neil de Wet sharing the duties for overseeing those people in voluntary quarantine across the two DHB districts.

Adequate stocks of Tamiflu are on hand at the hospitals, and distribution of Tamiflu to those requiring it in the community is being managed through the Medical Officers of Health.

All general information going to the public stresses that any one who has travelled to North America or Mexico in the last seven days and is showing flu-like symptoms is urged to urgently contact their GP, preferably by phone in the first instance. Members of the public who have travelled to Mexico or North America in the past seven days and have flu-like symptoms should call the free phone helpline - 0800 FLU LINE / 0800 358 5463 – for immediate advice.

Everyone is being urged to follow the normal precautions such as thorough hand washing, covering mouths when coughing or sneezing and safe disposal of used tissues.

Issued on behalf of Incident Controller for Joint Bay of Plenty and Lakes Pandemic Planning Committee, Cathy Cooney

Recommended Measures to Help Prevent the Spread of Flu

1. Wash your hands
a. By washing your hands with soap under warm running water, you will reduce your chance of getting the flu.
b. Alcohol-based hand gel can also be used if soap and water are not readily available. It’s a good idea to keep some with you in your pocket or purse when you travel.
2. Practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette.
a. Cover your mouth and/or nose to reduce the spread of germs. Remember to wash your hands afterwards.
3. Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
4. Cover your mouth and nose to reduce the spread of germs. Remember to wash your hands afterwards.
5. Monitor your health.
6. If you develop flu-like symptoms when you return to New Zealand, you should seek medical attention immediately. Ring first if possible.
7. Tell the health care provider who sees you that you have been travelling to North America and/or Mexico.

ENDS

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