Media release from the Northland District Health Board

The Northland District Health Board advises the death of a 51 year old male in the community in July.  Although the death is linked to confirmed pandemic influenza (swine flu) infection, the exact cause of death has yet to be determined by the Northland coroner.  The man had an underlying health condition.  

When a person dies in hospital, the responsible clinician is usually able to confirm whether pandemic influenza was the cause of death. When a person dies suddenly in the community, or if the cause of death is not clear, the death may be referred to a Coroner to investigate. Such investigations generally take some time.

Northland DHB medical officer of Health, Dr Jonathan Jarman says my sincere condolences to the wife and whanau who have asked for privacy.

"I have been asked about H1N1 and the burying of the deceased or tupapāku."

"The influenza virus is found in the secretions from the mouth and nose and is spread by coughing and sneezing," Dr Jarman said.

"The virus which causes swine flu does not hang around for very long once a person dies."

"There is no reason why people should not touch or hold the tupapāku, though they should always wash and dry their hands afterwards."

"Closed caskets are not required."

"Influenza is caught from live people not dead people.  The risk of influenza in large group settings such as a tangi, is catching the disease from someone else, not the tupapāku."

There are things you can do to protect your whanau at a tangi.  Advise people who are sick not to attend the tangi and if you must attend, then make sure to keep a safe distance away from each other, particularly if you have an influenza like illness.

"You can also have signs up to remind whanau to be extra careful in washing and drying their hands regularly."

Having hand sanitisers available for hand washing is also helpful.

Northland DHB continues to carry out H1N1 surveillance to assess the spread of the disease in Northland.

Dr Jarman says it is important that we maintain vigilance but there is no cause for undue alarm.  To date there have been only two confirmed cases in Northland.  

"Swine flu is here and is continuing to spread throughout the community."

"It's not too late to get protection by getting your seasonal influenza immunisation.  Free immunisation for people in eligible groups will continue while there's still vaccine available."  

"People should also remember to wash and dry their hands regularly, cover coughs and stay home if they are sick," said Dr Jarman.

The majority of people who contract flu this winter will be able to care for themselves at home but there will be some people, with underlying health conditions who may become very unwell.  

Call your GP or Healthline as soon as you get symptoms of influenza to consider whether you need antivirals, which are available free of charge on prescription. This is especially important for women who are pregnant, severely overweight people and those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart and lung disease and other conditions including autoimmune diseases.   

Practical information about Novel A H1N1 09 is available on the Ministry of Health website www.moh.govt.nz.