22 July 2009

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Update

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, today confirmed that anti-influenza medication from the national medical stockpile had been supplied to approximately 2700 GP practices around the state and up to 50 Aboriginal medical services.

Dr Chant said GPs in NSW were supplied with anti-influenza medication to distribute to people diagnosed with moderate to severe influenza and people whose conditions made them more vulnerable to severe illness.

"Free anti-viral medication, Tamiflu and Relenza are available from GPs for those people with moderate or severe illness, or those who have underlying conditions and are at a higher risk of developing severe influenza,'' Dr Chant said.

"People who are pregnant, obese, have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, lung, heart and kidney disease are at higher risk of complications from influenza and are encouraged to seek early medical attention so that they can receive treatment with these medications, if appropriate.

"In metropolitan areas (Sydney, Wollongong, the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Blue Mountains), nominated community pharmacies have been supplied with Tamiflu® suspension, which is suitable for children under five years of age.

"In rural or regional areas of NSW Tamiflu® suspension is available from local hospital pharmacies or emergency departments," Dr Chant said.

Other members of the public may be able to obtain anti-influenza medications through a private prescription from their medical practitioner.

If anti-influenza medication is started within 48 hours of the first symptoms of influenza, it can reduce the severity of symptoms, and can reduce the time taken to recover from illness.

HealthDirect is a telephone health line 1800 022 222 staffed by health professionals who are able to provide individual advice on the management of influenza.

Dr Chant said there had been 17 deaths in NSW associated with Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza. Four men who had underlying conditions and had tested positive for H1N1, had died over the past couple of days. These four men ranged in age from 40 - 81 years.

Since the pandemic began in NSW, 654 confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza cases have been reportedly admitted to hospital. In NSW, 39 people with confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza are reported to be currently receiving treatment in intensive care.

Dr Chant said most people would experience only mild symptoms, could manage their symptoms by resting at home and would recover from their illness after a few days. Only a small proportion of people would 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.''

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

Table last updated: 22 July 2009, 10.30am EST.

Dr Chant said 3162 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.

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