Ministry of HealthThursday 25 March 2010, 3:49PM
Ministry of Health Pandemic Influenza H1N1 2009 (swine flu) -
Update 177
Influenza activity is remains low, at the usual level for this time
of year.
During the week 15 - 22nd March 2010, none of the swabs collected
from patients presenting with influenza-like illnesses tested
positive for influenza. The number of people with an
influenza-like illness visiting their doctor is tracking at similar
levels to last week and remains under 'baseline' levels.
Weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New
Zealand, 2008-2010
*A weekly rate of less than 50 ILI consultations per 100,000
patient population is considered baseline activity. A rate of
50-249 is considered indicative of normal seasonal influenza
activity, and a rate of 250-399 indicative of higher than expected
influenza activity. A rate of over 400 ILI consultations per
100,000 patient population indicates an epidemic level of influenza
activity.
Source: Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Influenza
Weekly Update 2010/11
International situation
As at 19 March 2010, WHO reports that since the pandemic began in
April 2009 more than 213 countries and overseas territories or
communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic
influenza H1N1 2009, including 16813 laboratory-confirmed
deaths.
WHO is continuing to actively monitor the progress of the
pandemic. The most active areas of transmission are
currently in parts of Southeast Asia amd West Africa
Limited data suggests that on-going community transmission
continues to increase across parts of Central America and the
Caribbean.
For the WHO's latest updates on the global pandemic, check
their website