24 July 2009

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Update

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, said that with schools reopening on Monday, parents and schools needed to follow simple measures to reduce the transmission of H1N1 Influenza 09 in the school community.

"If children develop influenza-like symptoms, it is important that parents keep them away from school until they are well,'' Dr Chant said.

"Schools should be active in reinforcing good hygiene practices, and help parents and children understand how to minimise the spread of infection.

"The past two weeks has seen a decrease in the number of children aged 5-16 years presenting to emergency departments with flu-like illness. School holidays have slowed down the spread of infection, however, with schools back on Monday, it is inevitable that we will see a rise in cases amongst this age group.," Dr Chant said.

Dr Chant reiterated important public health messages that would help reduce the spread of H1N1 Influenza 09:

• Anyone who is sick with influenza symptoms should be advised to stay home until their symptoms are gone.
• Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the garbage bin after use.
• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way

Dr Chant said it was particularly important that people who were unwell with influenza did not visit sick, elderly or pregnant women or young children and should avoid visiting hospitals unless requiring treatment for their own illness.

Since the pandemic began in NSW, 707 confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza cases have been reportedly admitted to hospital. In NSW, 46 people with confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza are reported to be currently receiving treatment in intensive care.

Dr Chant said 3449 people had now tested positive for Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza, but this represented only a small proportion of the infections in the community as testing was no longer routinely recommended except for hospitalised patients and in circumstances where it may change clinical management.

The total number of deaths associated with H1N1 influenza remains at 17.

Summary of hospital-admitted Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza cases in NSW residents (June-July 2009)

Table last updated: 24 July 2009, 10.30am EST.

A weekly report, Case Numbers and Statistics, which describes the progress of the Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza epidemic in NSW, is available on the NSW Health website at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/swine_flu.asp

More information is available from the NSW Health website and the Flu hotline on 180 2007.

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