17 July 2009

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Update

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, today reminded pregnant women, people with underlying chronic medical conditions, and Aboriginal people to be extra vigilant this winter, take extra precautions to limit their chances of contracting Pandemic (H1N1) 2009* influenza and to contact their GP if they develop flu-like symptoms.

"If you develop an influenza-like illness and are pregnant, obese, have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, lung, heart and kidney disease, or have moderate to severe illness please consult your doctor immediately" Dr Chant said.

"In general, younger age groups are more affected by Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza.

"Analysis of data shows that children under five are more commonly admitted to hospital, and people aged between 20-59 years make up around 80% of the people admitted to intensive care.

Since the pandemic began in NSW, 502 confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza cases have been reportedly admitted to hospital. In NSW, 40 people with confirmed H1N1 influenza are reported to be currently receiving treatment in intensive care.

Dr Chant said that most people will experience only mild symptoms, can manage their symptoms by resting at home and will recover from their illness after a few days. Only a small proportion of people will develop severe symptoms.

"If you develop severe illness, such as difficulty breathing, or if your condition deteriorates, you should seek urgent medical attention," Dr Chant said.

"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.

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

Table last updated: 17 July 2009, 10.30am EST.

Dr Chant said 2673 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.

* The World Health Organization (WHO) is now referring to the current pandemic as 'Pandemic (H1N1) 2009'.

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