16 July 2009

H1N1 Influenza 09 Update

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, today confirmed that five people who had tested positive for H1N1 Influenza 09 in NSW had died, which brought the total number of H1N1 Influenza 09 related deaths in NSW to 10.

Dr Chant said four of these people had underlying medical conditions and the fifth case is being investigated by the coroner to determine the cause of death.

“Ranging in age from 9 years old to 71 years old, three of these cases were male and two were female. Upon requests by the families NSW Health will not be releasing any further details of these cases.

“H1N1 Influenza 09 and seasonal flu can occasionally result in severe disease, even in people who have been previously well.  Most people who have become severely unwell with H1N1 Influenza have had underlying medical conditions, including obesity,” Dr Chant said.

Analysis of data shows that patients admitted to hospital in NSW with H1N1 Influenza 09 are more likely to be young and middle aged adults when compared with patients admitted for seasonal influenza in recent years. Of the 61 patients who have been admitted to intensive care units with H1N1 Influenza 09, 80% are aged 30 to 59 years.

The proportion of influenza A cases due to H1N1 continues to increase in NSW. As of 10 July 2009, 59% of patients who tested positive for influenza A tests had H1N1 Influenza 09.

Dr Chant reminded pregnant women, people who are very overweight, and people with underlying health conditions like diabetes, lung, heart and kidney disease to consult their doctor immediately if they develop an influenza-like illness.

“Pregnant women are at higher risk than others for serious influenza illness and complications from influenza,” Dr Chant said.

If you are pregnant and become ill with flu-like symptoms, please seek medical treatment from your GP as soon as possible. Anti-influenza medication, such as Tamiflu and Relenza are considered appropriate for pregnant women and is available free from GPs for people at risk for severe disease, including pregnant woman and people with moderate to severe illness.

Dr Chant said that most people will experience only mild symptoms and will recover quickly from their illness. Only a small proportion of people will develop severe symptoms.

“The best way to control the spread of influenza is to maintain simple hygiene measures, including covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and regularly washing hands,” Dr Chant said.

Since the epidemic began in NSW, 459 confirmed H1N1 Influenza 09 cases have been reportedly admitted to hospital.  In NSW, 36 people with confirmed H1N1 Influenza are reported to be currently receiving intensive care.

Summary of hospital-admitted H1N1 Influenza 09 cases in NSW residents (June-July 2009)

Table last updated: 16 July 2009, 10.30am EST.

Dr Chant said 2469 people had now tested positive for H1N1 Influenza 09, but this represented only a small proportion of the infections in the community as testing was no longer routinely recommended except for hospitalised patients.

A weekly report, Case Numbers and Statistics, which describes the progress of the H1N1 Influenza 09 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