Swine Flu - NZ Prime Minister reacts

As the death toll in Mexico from swine flu cases climbs to more than 100, New Zealand health authorities are preparing for a pandemic.

Today suspected swine flu cases were being monitored nationwide, including Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Nelson, the West Coast, Canterbury and Otago and some were being treated with Tamiflu as a precaution.

They included 10 people from Auckland's Rangitoto College, who have tested positive for influenza A, from the same family as swine flu, and three more from Northcote College whose were awaiting test results.

Health officials believe it is likely they have swine flu, a deadly new strain of influenza A, which Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova says has now claimed 103 lives in Mexico.

Samples from the students who tested positive for influenza A are being sent to the World Health Organisation laboratory in Melbourne to ascertain whether it is the subset H1N1 swine influenza. The results should be back in a number of days.


Prime Minister John Key said that so far only a few people who had travelled to affected areas had shown symptoms, and they had been mild.

"The only thing we have identified so far is a form of influenza," he said.

"Swine flu, which is H1N1, is yet to be confirmed."

Health Minister Tony Ryall said two thirds of the passengers on Air New Zealand flight NZ1 which arrived from Los Angeles with the Rangitoto College passengers on board had been contacted or had presented themselves to health professionals.

The Ministry of Health would soon start contacting passengers on NZ5, the flight which brought the Northcote College students home.

Both groups had been in Mexico.

In brief:
* Swine flu is a subset of the influenza A virus known as H1N1
* The virus has killed 103 people in Mexico and infected over 1600
* Twenty cases have been confirmed in the US, six in Canada
* There are suspected cases in France, New Zealand, Spain, Israel and Brazil
* Northcote and Rangitoto College groups returned from Mexico on Saturday
* Ten Rangitoto students have tested positive for influenza A and the group is being kept in home isolation
* Three Northcote College students and two Waikato residents are also being tested for influenza A
* Passengers arriving in NZ on North American flights are being screened and given information on the flu virus
* The potential influenza epidemic status has been upgraded to yellow

Air New Zealand group general manager international airline Ed Sims said that as a precautionary measure, the 18 crew and two staff travelling for work purposes on NZ1 on Saturday had all been told to stay at home for up to seven days in accordance with ministry guidelines.

Anyone who has travelled to Mexico or North America in the last fortnight should contact Healthline (0800 611 116) for information. They should seek medical advice if they are displaying flu-like symptoms.

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[yeahnahidunno]

he looks like he should manage a swimming pool

[KirstyLovesRides]

It says on the news:

The numbers remain low.

Most people in mexico.

'Is this new virus really so dangerous after all?'

Apparently, this isnt spreading as quickly as 'feared' and its not as bad as common season flu!!!

has this been overplayed?

Btw all quoted from the news.

none of my words.

:) x

[bismillah11111]

ISLAM IS TRUTH FRM GOD! CHECK MY VIDS!

[FriedCoD]

idk but something tells me there is something fishy about this swine flu.

(manufactured?)

feels there is too much media coverage on this....

me thinks they want to make people BELIEVE they are sick by ingraining the idea upon them.

when one believes to be sick, they will feel sick

[Orillion94]

you're more likely to catch the normal flu than the swine flu

but i could be wrong

[markennvibryan]

this is just goverments spreading fear to make people think we need em how the few control the many , cause a problem get a reaction offer a soloution ! dumb ,sars bird flu swine flu

whats next sheep flu !!

[5am75]

no they cant afford any tickets hahahaha

[litaz01fan]

Is the Flu going to Australia? :o

[bsmillit]

sory but this just freaks me out! dnt read this(cuz it really wrks). u will gt kissd on the nearest frieday by the love of ur life. 2mara wll b the bst day of ur life hwever if you dnt post ths comment 2 at least 3 vids u will die withn 2 days nw uv startd readn this dnt stp this is so scary snd ths ovr 2 5 vids

[3aw77]

This is all a pack of lies , flu what flu come on wake up