Canterbury Moving to Manage It Phase of Pandemic

Canterbury District Health Board will move its response to the current Influenza A (H1N1) pandemic to the Manage it phase today.

This follows an announcement by the Minister of Health Tony Ryall at 11am this morning that New Zealand is moving to the Manage It phase on Monday.

Some parts of the country including Wellington and Canterbury are moving to the phase more quickly because there is now believed to be widespread community transmission of Influenza A (H1N1) in these areas.

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Alistair Humphrey said, “as well as the 58 cases that have been confirmed in Canterbury, there is now evidence of extensive spread of swine flu in Canterbury, with most people experiencing it as a mild to moderate illness and recovering without needing medical care.”

Because it is so prevalent now in Canterbury, screening of passengers at Christchurch International Airport will stop and people who have been contacts of people with swine flu or possible swine flu will not need to stay in quarantine.

“People are however asked to be scrupulous about staying at home if they are sick and keeping children home from school if they are unwell.  The best way for us to limit the impact of this pandemic as individuals is to do our best not to pass it on to others if we become unwell,” Dr Humphrey said.

The Ministry of Health has said Tamiflu will no longer be routinely given to people with Influenza A (H1N1) but will be used for people who are very unwell, are at risk of complications or to prevent spread amongst people providing essential services.

“Routine testing for swine flu will stop in Canterbury. Sampling will however still be done for monitoring purposes,” Dr Humphrey said.

The first Canterbury Flu Centre that was initially to be a Screening Clinic will open today at 4.30pm.  At the moment people will be referred to the Centre after calling their General Practitioner for an appointment. 

An 0800 flu number is also being set up and will be running by late this afternoon for people to seek advice about their illness and if necessary be given an appointment at the Flu Centre.

A media release will be distributed with the 0800 number details as soon as possible this afternoon.

ENDS