NZ: Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks

[Shiloh]

Source: http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/articl...=newsmain,nrhl

Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks
6 July 2012
Auckland and Canterbury's health systems are being stretched by flu outbreaks, and now doctors in the Capital are urging residents to prevent the virus spreading there.

Wellington's sitting above the national average for flu cases over the past week, but hasn't yet reached the numbers seen in Canterbury or Auckland...

[tetano]

Re: NZ: Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks

Flu puts pressure on Christchurch hospitals

Five patients with influenza are in Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit and another 80 in isolation wards, as pressure rises on an already fragile health system.

Hospital admissions for winter-related illnesses have surged dramatically over recent weeks and medical centres around the city are also reporting a sharp rise in the number of patients arriving with flu symptoms.

Canterbury District Health Board chief executive David Meates said people should contact their GP if they were unwell and be immunised against the flu to avoid getting sick.

"If you are feeling unwell, stay home and if your condition deteriorates phone your general practice team," he said.

...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10818804&ref=rss

[Roehl_JC]

Re: NZ: Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10821267

New Zealand is facing an influenza epidemic that experts say is as big as swine flu and has already left about 12 people fighting for their lives.

The H3N2 strain of the virus, which causes hallucinations and crippling nausea, is even striking healthy young people.

About 60 flu-stricken people have been admitted to a special isolated ward in Christchurch Hospital, and now public health officials have warned that the virus is spreading north.

Aucklander Lucy Janisch-Fitzgerald was rushed to hospital on Tuesday night and placed on a ventilator in the intensive care unit, unable to control her breathing.

The 22-year-old was in a serious condition for three days and was only moved out of the ward on Friday.

Speaking from her hospital bed last night, she told the Herald on Sunday she had been knocked sideways by the flu.

"I crashed," she said. "I couldn't breathe on my own, my heart rate was too high. I've been on IV drips for six days now," Janisch-Fitzgerald said.

She is believed to be one of the first in Auckland struck down by the same severe strain of flu that is causing havoc in Christchurch, according to Canterbury Health virologist Lance Jennings.

Canterbury has been the worst hit so far by the "epidemic" of the H3N2 strain, which is expected to be as severe in New Zealand as the H1N1 swine flu that killed 49 people in 2009.

"With H3N2 ... we tend to see more severe outcomes in terms of hospital admissions, admissions to intensive care and death," Jennings said...

[Pathfinder]

Re: NZ: Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks

Auckland after-hours clinics struggle to cope with flu patients

By Martin Johnston
5:30 AM Monday Jul 23, 2012

The Auckland region flu outbreaks appear to be highly localised. Photo / Thinkstock

Some of Auckland's after-hours medical clinics have suffered a double-hit of staff sickness and a flood of patients, as the winter flu season intensifies.

The region's Waitemata and Counties Manukau health districts have the country's highest per-capita rates of influenza-like consultations, according to ongoing surveillance for the Health Ministry at "sentinel" general practices, although Canterbury has been worst affected this winter.

It appears that the Auckland region outbreaks are highly localised.

While some general practitioners told the Herald yesterday they were seeing relatively few flu-like cases, the White Cross group, which runs after-hours accident and medical clinics, reported a big increase. "We've been seeing a lot of influenza-type illness in the last four to six weeks, particularly in our Glenfield, New Lynn and Henderson clinics," said chief executive Dr Alistair Sullivan.

"They are running about 15 to 20 per cent above normal volumes for this time of year - an extra 50 to 100 patients per day across those three.

More...

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/news/article.cfm?c_id=204&objectid=10821441

[Shiloh]

Re: NZ: Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks

Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/new...previous-years

Flu rate double previous years
GEORGINA STYLIANOU
Last updated 07:47 26/07/2012

Canterbury's flu outbreak has already outstripped those in previous years, and the peak may be yet to come, health leaders say.

The region suffered from influenza outbreaks in 2005 and 2010. However, nearly twice the number of people have needed hospital treatment this year.

This month, 162 people with flu have been admitted to hospital, compared with 83 in July 2010.

More than 200 people have been hospitalised since May.

Four people this week remained in intensive care with flu or respiratory illnesses. Only six people were hospitalised in July last year because of the flu.

Dr Phil Schroeder, of the Canterbury primary response group, said it was too early to say whether flu rates had peaked.

He said Canterbury was also battling other respiratory viruses and pneumonia-like illnesses...

[Shiloh]

Re: NZ: Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks

Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/health/new...ectid=10822698

Experts: Flu outbreak fears are overdone
7:24 PM Friday Jul 27, 2012

Claims that an influenza epidemic of swine flu proportions are set to overwhelm the country are overblown, according to virologists at the National Influenza Centre.

Media reports that a new strain of influenza - H3N2, which causes hallucinations and crippling nausea - is heading north from Canterbury, and that flu admissions are at "epidemic" levels, are out-of-step with the latest surveillance data released yesterday.

A weekly influenza report by ESR (Environmental Science and Research) says the current levels of influenza admissions are at "normal" levels throughout the country...

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: NZ: Health systems stretched by flu outbreaks

Flu Takes life of Woman in Wellington


Submitted by Neeraj Shahane on Mon, 07/30/2012 - 12:30 Health TNM Wellington

A widower from Wellington has urged people to take flu vaccination, as his wife, who was unvaccinated passed away due to the same reason. Mark McIlroy said that his wife Catherine died after five days of contracting the flu.

Though Catherine died as she was not vaccinated, Wellington officials were of the view that people should not panic. Tim Blackmore, who is an infection expert at Capital and Coast DHB, was of the view that it is quite rare that people have lost their lives due to the infection.
...

http://topnews.net.nz/content/223671-flu-takes-life-woman-wellington