28 June 2009

H1N1 Influenza 09 Update

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, today said the level of community transmission of H1N1 09 Influenza in NSW is increasing, particularly in metropolitan Sydney.

"One 5 year old girl remains in a stable condition in an intensive care unit and a small number of people with influenza are requiring hospitalisation," Dr Chant said.

"In most cases H1N1 09 Influenza will be a mild illness, but for some people the infection can be severe. Pregnant women, people with underlying health conditions like diabetes, respiratory, heart and renal disease, and Indigenous Australians are considered at a higher risk should they develop influenza infection.

"Pregnant women and people with underlying health conditions who develop flu symptoms should immediately contact their GP for advice.

"People with no underlying medical conditions who experience only mild flu-like symptoms should stay at home and minimise contact with others until they are well. People who develop moderate symptoms should see their GP where available, or if not available, should contact their local flu clinic or emergency department. People with severe symptoms should seek urgent care.

"It is particularly important that people who are unwell with influenza do not to visit sick, elderly or pregnant women or young children and avoid visiting hospitals unless requiring treatment for their own illness," Dr Chant said.

Dr Chant said an important way to reduce the spread H1N1 09 Influenza and seasonal influenza is by washing hands regularly with soap, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying at home minimising contact with other people if you have influenza-like symptoms.

Summary of suspected and confirmed influenza cases in NSW

Table last updated: 28 June 2009, 10.30am EST. National figures as published at 28 June 2009, 6am EST, available at: http://www.healthemergency.gov.au

More information is available by clicking on the 'Human Swine Flu' Information button at the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au and the Flu hotline on 180 2007.

Further information is available from the Swine Flu hotline on 180 2007 or at the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/swine_flu.asp

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au