Hypoxia and Medicine

Swine flu kills more people, is it getting worse now?

New Zealand's Healthline received a 40 percent increase in the number of calls after the Ministry of Health announced yesterday three people with swine flu had died. Two of the people had underlying medical conditions. They were a young girl who died yesterday morning in Wellington Hospital and a 42-year-old man who died on Thursday in Christchurch. The coroner will investigate whether any medical conditions played a part in the death of Zachary Wilson, 19, from Hamilton, who died at home last Sunday without having been diagnosed with swine flu. The Ministry said swine flu was more than likely the cause of the three deaths. Following the announcement of the deaths yesterday, Healthline received 2000 calls, director of Public Health Mark Jacobs said. "There was a definite spike in calls after the news at 6pm, so I encourage people to persevere and keep holding if they call at a busy time and need to wait." Healthline, 0800 611 116, has registered nurses answering calls 24/7. New Zealand now had 961 confirmed cases, up from 945 yesterday, Dr Jacobs said. "Swine flu will be with us for quite some time and is continuing to spread throughout the community, but there is no cause for alarm." Swine flu was a mild illness for most, though it could be severe or fatal for some. "We know that people with some significant underlying medical conditions are at greater risk, however, it's important to remember that overseas experience has shown that some previously healthy people have also been seriously affected by swine flu," Dr Jacobs said. People should continue to: - stay home if they are sick; - cover their coughs and sneezes; - frequently, thoroughly wash and dry hands. Anyone who thinks they have the flu and have other significant medial conditions should call Healthline or their doctor. People should also seek medical advice if flu symptoms worsen, for example if they are having difficulty breathing, get drowsier or if taking medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen does not lower a high temperature. There are 62 probable cases of swine flu in New Zealand. The number of confirmed cases in each region are: Northland (20), Auckland (202), Waikato (45), Bay of Plenty/Lakes (29), Gisborne (2), Hawkes Bay (84), Taranaki (3), Wanganui/Palmerston North (14), Wellington (292), Nelson/Marlborough (22), Canterbury (234), Otago/Southland (14). Australia has had more than 5250 confirmed cases and 10 deaths. Worldwide on Friday there had been 89,921 cases, including 382 deaths. -NZPA wow this boy died at home!!!!! this is why its so importent to get yourself too a docter or hospital and get treated otherwise you can die!! and he was 19 what is wrong with people over there? are they so stupid they dont allow patients to go to docters or seek medical help, in australia you would be sent straight away with flu like symptoms

Public Comments

1. That is scary. I am in UK and we have been told that yesterday there were more than 7,400 confirmed cases of swine flu in the UK. If the number of cases continues to grow at the current pace, the UK could have 100,000 new cases every day by the end of August. And Tamiflu might be rationed!! I don't know whether we are worse than NZ or not. Politicians seem to be waffling and changing the story all the time. Probably a bit relieved the spotlight is off their expenses claims for a bit. I have little confidence in the seemingly haphazard plans so far. I aim to be aware but there is no use in worrying. I am elderly, live alone. Latest instructions... * Read up on swine flu symptoms then use the NHS Direct swine flu symptom checker * If you are still concerned, stay at home and call your GP who will be able to provide a diagnosis over the phone. Use our service search to find contact details * If swine flu is confirmed, ask a healthy friend or relative to visit your GP to pick up a document entitling you to antiviral medication * They will then need to pick the medication up at a collection point your GP will advise on (a local pharmacy or similar) Hmmmm... Good Luck Oz.