Will New Zealand be affected by Swine Flu?

Answer 1

UPDATE 1/06/10

Yes, New Zealand has had the same effects now as most countries during the current pandemic in the fall and winter flu season in the Northern Hemisphere in 2009 - 2010. As of today the case numbers and deaths in New Zealand are reported to be a cumulative total of 3198 cases and 22 deaths.

7th July 2009:

Swine Flu in NZ is now of epidemic proportions. It is community spread and spreading rapidly. Fortunately, it is 'mild' in intensity for most people. To date, there have been 3 deaths that can be related to Swine Flu - as far as is known none of these 3 cases had underlying complicating health issues. It is estimated that 1/3 of the population will have had this flu before the end of our winter flu season this year.

I have just recovered from this flu. My husband now has it. His symptoms are much milder than mine were. I was sick for 2 weeks and now into my 3rd week and only just beginning to feel that I could carry on all normal daily tasks, including exercise.

What characterised my flu most was the extreme fatigue and body aches / head aches and the swings between sweats and chills. The cough only began at the end of Week One and I still have it. However, it is no longer keeping me awake at night and I have now had 2 nights in a row where I have slept through the entire night without waking up to coughing. My chest hurts when I cough or sneeze but is not causing me too much pain.

Here in NZ, people are not getting tested for confirmation of Swine Flu as there are too many cases and it would be economic suicide for the country to do so. Only those with the most severe symptoms are being tested. Most are also NOT receiving any antiviral drugs to help ease the symptoms as the stockpile has been depleted too quickly too early on.

Most people here are now complacent and blase about this flu. Many people are not aware how it might affect them and are going about their normal daily lives without thought or care ... save for some using hand sanitiser

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as of July 6, 2009 New Zealand has reported 1059 confirmed cases of Novel H1N1 with 3 deaths. This is an increase of 147 cases since the July 3 report of 912 cases and no deaths.

Also listed in the July 6, 2009 WHO report were these other Southern Hemisphere countries and the numbers of illnesses that are spreading during their flu season:

7/6/09 Cumulative Case Count------------Amount of change since last report 7/3

Argentina - 2485 and 60-----------------------------up by 898 cases and 34 deaths

Australia - 5298 and 10------------------------------up by 730 and 1

Bolivia - 416 and 0-----------------------------------up by 133 and 0

Brazil - 737 and 1------------------------------------no increase

Chile -7376 and 14-----------------------------------up by 0 and 0

Columbia - 118 and 2--------------------------------up by 17 and 0

Ecuador - 204 and 0---------------------------------up by 41 and 0

Indonesia - 20 and 0---------------------------------up by 12 and 0

Paraguay - 106 and 1--------------------------------up by 3 and 1

Peru - 916 and 0-------------------------------------up by 378 and 0

Uruguay - 195 and 4---------------------------------up by 0 and 3

See the related questions section below for more information.