Tests have "unfortunately" confirmed at least three New
Zealanders have tested positive to swine flu, Health Minister
Tony Ryall announced tonight.
Melbourne tests on 11 Rangitoto College students who tested
positive for influenza A came back from the World Health
Organisation (WHO) laboratory tonight, confirming three
positives to swine flu.
"Unfortunately tonight we can confirm New Zealanders have
tested positive to swine flu," Mr Ryall said.
Tests on a fourth sample were continuing, Director of Public
Health Mark Jacobs told reporters.
He said three samples all tested positive for the same strain
of swine flu. A further sample was being retested.
The swine flu virus has killed close to 150 people in Mexico
and infected dozens in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Jacobs announced tonight
that results from some of the Rangitoto College party who
tested positive to Influenza A on Sunday, have also tested
positive for Swine Flu H1N1.
Results from three of the samples were received earlier this
evening from the World Health Organization regional
laboratory in Melbourne and all tested positive for the same
strain of Swine Flu. Testing continues on a fourth sample.
On the basis of these results, we are assuming that all of
the people in the group who had tested positive for Influenza
A have Swine Flu. As a result we are continuing with
the current treatment which has been based on this
assumption.
We were advised that the lab in Melbourne selected four of
the best samples of the very delicate genetic material to
analyse. They found three positive results and one is still
to be confirmed.
Staff from Auckland Regional Public Health are getting in
touch with those affected and informing them of the results.
This is expected to be completed by 10:00pm tonight.
All ten are understood to be recovering at home.
There is no need to change the treatment and follow-up of the
Rangitoto College group. The Tamiflu treatment will continue
and they will remain in home isolation and should complete 72
hours of Tamiflu before they can return to normal activities.
The Rangitoto students returned to Auckland on Saturday from
a trip to Mexico. An 11th member of the group has also tested
positive for influenza A.
The test results were announced in Wellington tonight, at a
press conference attended by Mr Ryall, Director-General of
Health Stephen McKernan, Mr Jacobs, and National Co-ordinator
Emergency Planning Steve Brazier.
Mr Ryall made a ministerial statement when Parliament sat at
2pm, and told MPs all 10 of the students were recovering.
Mr Ryall told Parliament another 56 people nationwide were
being monitored and were being tested to find out whether
they had influenza A.
He told Parliament the measures that were being taken were
fully justified.
"Officials are ready for any escalation in the domestic or
international swine flu situation," he said.
"This is a threat that New Zealand has planned for. Many of
the best people in the health service are working night and
day to protect the health of New Zealanders."
Mr Ryall said the initial response had been rapid, thorough
and appropriate for the level of risk at the time.
* On Saturday morning, flight NZ1 arrived in Auckland from
Los Angeles at 5am. On board were the Rangitoto College group
which had visited Mexico.
* Their teacher insisted those with flu symptoms contact
their doctor and at 12.30pm one of the doctors contacted
Auckland Regional Public Health Service.
* The Auckland public health response centre was activated by
3pm and by 6pm a team of nurses was assessing the Rangitoto
group. All were treated with Tamiflu and isolated with their
families by 10pm.
* On Sunday night testing revealed the Rangitoto 10 had
influenza A. Ministry officials decided they should be
treated as probably cases of swine flu.
Mr Ryall said nearly all the passengers on NZ1 had been
traced, assessed and offered Tamiflu as a precaution.
The WHO today raised its pandemic alert level to phase 4,
indicating a significant increased risk of a pandemic, a
global outbreak of a serious disease.
Meanwhile efforts are continuing to trace 18 passengers from
the flight whose contact details were unclear.
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