Ten Auckland students are likely to have contracted swine flu testing has found.
Three teachers and 22 senior students from North Shore's Rangitoto College have been kept in isolation following their return yesterday from a three week language trip.
More than 80 people in Mexico are believed to have died and over 1300 are sick as a result of catching swine flu. Cases have also been reported in New York, California and Kansas and a British Airways pilot has been hospitalised in London with flu symptoms after returning from Mexico.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said in a statement this evening 10 of the 13 students tested had returned positive influenza results.
"Ministry of Health officials advise me there is no guarantee these students have swine influenza, but they consider it likely.
"All precautions are being taken to allow for this. However, I am also informed none of the affected patients are considered seriously ill, and most in fact seem to be on the road to recovery."
The ten students had tested positive for Influenza A.
The results would be sent to the World Health Organisation laboratory in Melbourne to ascertain whether it was the H1N1 swine influenza, he said.
He did not know when the results would be known, but said given the global situation they would be treated with considerable urgency.
He encouraged other passengers on NZ1, the flight from Los Angeles the Rangitoto College students returned on, to consult with their GP or other health professional if they develop flu-like symptoms.
Middlemore Hospital had released tamiflu to the Auckland Regional Public Health Service to treat the patients and people who had been in contact with them.
The Ministry was in contact with the WHO and was liaising with Australia in terms of their response.
The ministry was also working closely with Auckland Regional Public Health, district health boards and other Government agencies including MAF, Customs and the Ministry of Education.
It would keep New Zealanders informed of developments, Mr Ryall said.
The best things you can do to stop the spread of any type of influenza virus is to:
- Stay at home and away from others if you are sick
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue
- Put used tissues into a rubbish bin
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth - germs spread that way
- Be careful to wash hands often with soap and dry them thoroughly - hand hygiene is critical: even when you start to feel better there is still a risk of infecting others, so keep to the 20/20 rule - 20 seconds washing and 20 seconds drying
- Keep surfaces clean at home, school and work.
Travellers returning from Mexico or the affected parts of the United States who have symptoms of influenza are advised, before returning to work or school, to contact their GP or an after hours medical centre by phone, for advice about what to do and how to get checked out.
Anybody experiencing warning signs of severe influenza illness such as rapid breathing, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe vomiting or if a child is not responding or is difficult to wake up, should get urgent medical attention.<
NZPA