One New Case Of Swine Flu Confirmed

MEDIA UPDATE

Update 17 -  Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu

One new case confirmed, two probable cases cleared and one probable added
   
6:00pm  Friday 1 May, 2009

Dr Mark Jacobs, Director of Public Health

Another passenger from Flight NZ1 which arrived in New Zealand on Saturday morning 25 April, has been confirmed as having Influenza A (H1N1) Swine Flu.  (This person was not part of the Rangitoto College party).  This result was confirmed this afternoon by the WHO laboratory in Melbourne.  As with all the other cases, this new case has been treated with Tamiflu and is in isolation at home.  

Significantly, two people who arrived in New Zealand prior to Air New Zealand Flight NZ1 on Saturday 25 April, who were being treated as probable cases have now been cleared of having Influenza A (H1N1) Swine flu, after their test results returned negative.

In the meantime, one more probable case has been added, bringing the current total number of probable cases to 12.  It is understood that this new case arrived in New      Zealand on Sunday 26 April from Los Angeles.  No further information is available on this case at this tme.

In summary, there are four confirmed cases.  There are also 12 probable cases who have tested positive for Influenza A.  

In addition there are 116 suspected cases.  These are people who have developed symptoms of influenza within seven days of having been in the areas of concern or are close contacts of cases and have symptoms.

In total there are 388 people in isolation and being treated with Tamiflu.  This includes suspected cases and people without symptoms who are being isolated as a precaution because they are in close contact with a suspected case.

These numbers will fluctuate as a result of more suspected cases being found, or suspected cases being ruled out. 

ENDS

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