27 August 2009

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Update

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, today confirmed that a further five people have died with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza, all with underlying medical conditions.

The death of the two men, aged 41 and 42, and three women, aged 56, 69 and 85, brings the total of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza-related fatalities in NSW to 41.

Dr Chant said that the major risk factors for patients admitted to intensive care with confirmed H1N1 influenza have predominantly been chronic lung disease, diabetes, morbid obesity, chronic heart failure and pregnancy.

Dr Chant reminded pregnant women, Aboriginal people and anyone with underlying medical conditions or moderate to severe illness to consult their doctor immediately.

The number of influenza-like illness presentations to emergency departments has continued to decline and is now lower than the largest seasonal peak of recent years.

"In the last 7 days, there were 203 influenza-like illness presentations to emergency departments monitored by NSW Health. This is a significant decline from the previous week's total of 338," Dr Chant said.

"Hospital admissions with pneumonia or influenza-like illness peaked in mid-July and are now at the lower end of the seasonal range for this time of year."

Since the pandemic began in NSW, 1170 confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza cases have been reportedly admitted to hospital. Currently there are 19 people with confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza reportedly receiving treatment in intensive care in NSW.

Throughout the state, 5033 people have now tested positive for Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza. This figure, however, represents only a small proportion of the infections in the community as testing is no longer routinely recommended except for hospitalised patients and in circumstances where it may change clinical management.

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

Table last updated: 27 August 2009, 10.00am 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 Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Hotline 180 2007

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