31 July 2009

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 Influenza Update

NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, today confirmed that a woman with underlying medical conditions had died from Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza.

The death of the woman, in her 70s, brings the total of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza related fatalities in NSW to 22.

Dr Chant said the number of people who had presented at emergency departments with influenza-like illness had fallen 36 percent from the previous week but still remains twice as high as previous seasonal peaks.

"In NSW, 781 people presented to Emergency Departments with influenza-like illness in the latest 7 day count, compared to 1229 for the previous week," Dr Chant said.

"Overall admissions to hospitals from emergency departments with a diagnosis of influenza-like illness have also declined across all ages, with 67 patients admitted in the latest count, compared with 83 the previous week.

"This is definitely good news, however, with the return of children to school this week, a further rise in cases cannot be ruled out," Dr Chant said.

Dr Chant reminded pregnant women, people with underlying chronic medical conditions, and Aboriginal people to remain extra vigilant and take extra precautions to limit their chances of contracting Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza.

"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.

Since the pandemic began in NSW, 911 confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza cases have been reportedly admitted to hospital. In NSW, 43 people with confirmed Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 influenza are reported to be currently receiving treatment in intensive care.

Throughout the state, 4074 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 was 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-July 2009)

Table last updated: 31 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