Last winter brought with it a great underlying fear that we would drop like dominoes in the face of swine flu (pandemic influenza H1N1). So, with 2010’s flu season about to hit us full swing, Family Health Diary assesses where we were then and where we may be heading.

Despite being an island nation, in 2009 the swine flu virus made its way into our country pretty easily, entering mostly via travellers. Some schools closed temporarily and many people suspected of having the virus were kept in isolation.

What made swine flu such a worry was that it was a new virus – few of us had any immunity to it and so it spread quickly, both globally and locally. In New Zealand it’s been associated with at least 20 deaths and at least 1000 hospital admissions.

So, with another winter just around the corner, we put the question to the Ministry of Health… is swine flu still a threat? 

The update

IS SWINE FLU STILL A THREAT?
This winter’s flu season could be similar to last year, with ‘swine flu’ expected to be the main flu strain again. There is still the possibility that the virus could mutate and become more severe.

Internationally, Southeast Asia, West Africa, and the tropical zone of the Americas, have recently been worst hit by the virus. The Ministry of Health and World Health Organisation (WHO) are monitoring the situation closely.
What’s been happening in New Zealand lately?

Leading up to the flu season, the number of people visiting a doctor with flu-like symptoms has been about normal. However, there has been a strong demand for the seasonal flu vaccine and immunisation rates have been higher.

 IS SWINE FLU COVERED IN THE NEW FLU VACCINE?
The good news is that in New Zealand, the 2010 seasonal influenza vaccine also contains protection against swine flu.

It takes up to two weeks for the vaccine to give full protection.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR FREE IMMUNISATION
If any of the following relate to you, you are eligible for free vaccination:

• Pregnant
• Significantly overweight
• Children aged 6 months to under-five thought to be high risk
• People aged 65 years or over
• Chronic respiratory disease, including asthma
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Kidney problems
• A serious medical condition, like cancer or immune suppression.

IF YOU'RE NOT IMMUNISED, SHOULD YOU BE WORRIED?
Immunisation is recommended as the best form of protection against flu, both for individual protection and to stop the virus spreading. But there are practical measures you could also take, including regular hand-washing (and thorough drying), not touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and avoiding unnecessary close contact with those who have flu.

If you do get flu or are concerned, particularly if you’re at higher risk, seek medical advice. In some cases, antiviral medications may be prescribed.

WHAT HAS 'WHO' LEARNT FROM THIS PANDEMIC?
In order to learn from the global response in 2009, WHO has announced a review. It will examine how well the world was prepared, how well it responded, and how the International Health Regulations functioned. It is hoped lessons will be learned so the world is better prepared for future pandemics.

FINALLY....
Immunisation and good personal hygiene, such as hand washing, can help us stay healthy and lessen the severity of swine flu. During 2009 most people who caught the virus recovered without any major problems. So don’t worry too much, be prepared in case you get sick (having enough food and medicines at home) and take good care of yourself.

GLOBAL IMPACT
As a new type of virus that few people have resistance to, swine flu has spread quickly around the world. Last century, flu pandemics occurred in 1918, 1957 and 1968 when millions of people died. The pandemic of 1918-1919 alone killed somewhere between 20-40 million people.

Swine flu has reached 213 countries and overseas territories or communities and been attributed to more than 17,700 deaths.


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