While influenza vaccination does not prevent COVID-19, influenza is a serious illness that causes hundreds of deaths each winter in New Zealand, and thousands of hospital admissions and doctor's visits. Doctors fear as many as 4000 Australians could die from the flu this season While the fourth strain (A/H3N2) is not a good match against the expected Southern Hemisphere strains, it may still offer some residual protection. Practices urged to be ready for heavy flu season after two deaths Zahra. Influenza (flu) can sometimes be confused with the common cold, but having the flu is usually much worse than having a cold. Keep at least a week’s supply of food, tissues, and your usual medicines so you don’t need to make trips out in public. While general health affects the severity of an infection, the influenza virus is contagious and anyone can become infected. During this process your lungs become collateral damage. 2,900 more people than expected died during the epidemic period. The total death toll for New Zealand is thought to have been about 9000. (Symptoms for different types of flu are the same.) What someone suffered from or was vaccinated against last year might not give them immunity to this year's strain. While influenza vaccination does not prevent COVID-19, influenza is a serious illness that causes hundreds of deaths each winter in New Zealand, and thousands of hospital admissions and doctor's visits. Māori populations for counties are inclusive of interior boroughs. Services and support for you and your child, Release calendar for our Tier 1 statistics, immunising against the flu when you are pregnant, Infectious disease prevention and control, Prepare yourself for an influenza pandemic, pregnant women and women who have just given birth, people with an ongoing health condition (like asthma, diabetes, cancer, a heart or lung condition, and conditions that affect the nervous or immune systems). FLU VACCINE About half of the people who were eligible to receive a flu vaccination were vaccinated against flu. In New Zealand, flu season occurs in the winter - flu outbreaks can happen as early as April and can last as late as October. Fight Flu In temperate climates such as New Zealand’s, you’re more likely to get the flu in winter. Advertisement Between 184,000 and 221,000 people have been hospitalized with the flu so far this season. Another reason she hears is people saying they got sick right after getting vaccinated. Sun 7 Jul 2019 23.35 EDT Last modified on Mon 8 Jul 2019 00.36 EDT. Bacterial pneumonia is a common secondary infection. Shift is how viruses like swine flu evolved. Advice for travellers from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A 12-year-old and a 62-year-old died from the illness, Counties Manukau District Health Board confirmed to Newshub on Tuesday. New Zealand faces flu vaccine shortage as illness surges. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze – then put the tissue in a lined bin. reduce fever by using a damp cloth on their forehead, washing their arms and body with a cool cloth, bathing them in slightly warm water. The worst symptoms usually last about 5 days, but coughing can last up to 2–3 weeks. A video series about getting protected against the flu. The seasonal influenza vaccine is altered most years to cover the particular strains of the virus that are circulating each year. make sure you take medications for any condition to keep them under good control. There's another reason too. Information about the medicines funded in New Zealand. Pregnant women are strongly advised to be immunised as pregnancy places a woman at greater risk of complications from influenza. This is expected to reduce the 2019 seasonal vaccine effectiveness for this influenza virus strain. Other serious conditions can also look like the flu, including meningococcal disease. Most people who die are over the age of 65, however Baker said Māori and Pacific people were affected at a higher rate at younger ages. The list of eligible health conditions is available at the Fight Flu website. This makes influenza one of the biggest infectious disease killers in the country. She said people seem to think the vaccine should always be 100 per cent effective. Improving the population's protection against influenza will improve our ability to manage any increased demand on health services as a result of COVID-19. The second and more deadly wave of a new strain of influenza arrived in New Zealand in October 1918. (healthed.govt.nz). gargle a glass of warm water and/or suck sugarless hard sweets or lozenges to help with sore throats, shower or bathe regularly and keep bedding and nightwear clean and dry. The battle in your respiratory system between the virus and T cells can be waged too vigorously. New Zealand was hit hard by the pandemic with over 8,500 deaths out of a total population of around 1.15 million, yielding a total mortality rate of 7.7 per 1000. It is important to contact a doctor, if they have signs of other serious conditions, such as, feel a lot worse, or you are not getting better after a few days, have an existing health condition or are in a, are taking any medication that affects the immune system, are looking after someone with influenza and you are in a, reduce fever by using a damp cloth on your forehead, washing the arms and body with a cool cloth, bathing in slightly warm water. Vaccines are free for pregnant women, those over 65 years and under 65 with certain medical conditions. Symptoms of flu, which can come on suddenly, include the following: 1. The Measles outbreak of 1999 was actually predicted two years prior. Sometimes, although not often, it's friendly fire. The flu can cause serious illness, especially in young children, the elderly and people with chronic health problems, but anyone can become seriously ill from the flu virus. Flu in NZ and SHIVERS II update Dr.Sue Huang Principal investigator of SHIVERS, SHIVERS-II. As part of its response to COVID-19, the Ministry of Health is prioritising vaccination of those at greatest risk of influenza in 2020. That's a coincidental effect.". Phone Healthline (0800 611 116) or your doctor if you are concerned or if you: If clinically indicated, your doctor may recommend antiviral medications. When a new (novel) strain of the flu virus emerges that infects many people in a very short time, it is called a ‘flu pandemic’. When a baby or child has influenza, it is important to do the following: Saltwater drops (saline) can be used to treat a stuffy nose. If you’re at higher risk, it is important to see your doctor early, to find out if you need treatment. Know the danger signs that mean you should seek urgent medical attention (see Symptoms). Imagine the shopkeeper's two worst repeat shoplifters had a child. Seek medical advice immediately. Fever and chills 2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. take appropriate medicines to relieve discomfort and fever if necessary. Published 18 December 2019. The flu is much more than a common cold and flu-related illnesses cause around 400 deaths a year in New Zealand. While influenza vaccination does not prevent COVID-19, influenza is a serious illness that causes hundreds of deaths each winter in New Zealand, and thousands of hospital admissions and doctor's visits. "They [flu vaccines] are not causing any dangers to the infants at all. Immunisation Advisory Centre's Nikki Turner said one of the most common reasons she hears for not getting the vaccine is: "I had the flu vaccine, but I got the flu anyway.". The 2009 outbreak is estimated to have killed between 151,700 and 575,400 people. As part of its response to COVID-19, the Ministry of Health is prioritising vaccination of those at greatest risk of influenza in 2020. increase the frequency of breastfeeding or the amount of other fluids they drink. Influenza immunisation is free for pregnant women between April and the end of December, but is recommended before winter if possible. A significant contributor to this was the number of Maori deaths, believed to be 2,160 – a mortality rate of 42.3 per 1000 [3]. However, combine the moustache with a new hair colour, glasses and a hat, and there's a chance the shoplifter will have drifted away enough from their usual appearance to get through. This reporter pattern is similar to previous years. Play Video. Imagine you are a shopkeeper with photos on your wall of repeat shoplifters you try to keep out of your store. ... More than 50,000 new influenza vaccine doses coming to … If you are unwell, stay at home and rest ideally/preferably in a separate, well ventilated room away from other people. If you are undergoing chemotherapy, getting a flu shot won't harm you, but your body might not develop antibodies. Many of those people collapse and die suddenly outside of hospital, or perhaps in a rest or nursing home, or maybe in their own home.". It's often your own fingers responsible for giving you the flu. Influenza viruses mutate, in a process called shift and drift. If you have an existing medical condition: Can I get a free flu vaccine? These extra deaths were associated with the flu epidemic. Safe Travel website make sure you don’t run out of regular medications. If your fingers have touched something a sick person has sneezed or coughed on, chances are - inadvertently - your fingers will end up near your nose, eyes or mouth at some point before you wash them thoroughly. Tracey Sully is vaccinated for the flu. Once the influenza virus has gained access to your body via your unwashed fingers, it goes on a Grand Theft Auto-like spree of destruction. Signs and symptoms of influenza can include: It may take between 1–4 days to feel symptoms after you catch influenza. For everyone else, influenza vaccination will be available from 27 April 2020. Check if the area below the ribs sucks inward (instead of expanding as normal) as they breathe in. Baker said these groups add up to around 500 deaths per year in New Zealand, a figure higher than last year's road toll. If you are aged 65 or over, pregnant, or have a health condition such as diabetes or heart disease that puts you at greater risk of influenza, you can get vaccinated free at a general practice or vaccinating pharmacy. These provided protection against: As at 21 May 2020, over 775,000 eligible people have been vaccinated against influenza. The final reason she hears is the "hero" response where people say they never get sick. Former New Zealand Secondary School rugby league representative Zae Wallace has died after losing a battle with a serious infection after catching … It is also important to seek medical advice early if you are concerned, and especially if there are any danger signs, even if you have been seen before. Influenza – or the flu – is a virus that spreads quickly from person to person. Developed by the Starship Foundation and the Paediatric Society of New Zealand. Influenza can occasionally cause serious complications and death in young children, elderly people, pregnant women or people with long-term health conditions. Protect yourself from the flu – get immunised. This leads to suffocation. What crosses across the placenta are the mother's natural antibodies into the baby. For those who fall outside the free scheme, the shot is easily available for purchase from doctors. This makes influenza one of the biggest infectious disease killers in the country. But we do know that [for] healthy children and healthy adults, it's more like 60 to over 60 per cent effective.". This year, 1.768 million influenza vaccines made for the southern hemisphere were supplied to New Zealand, 400,000 more than were used in 2019. The majority of reports in 2019 were submitted by nurses (68.6 percent), followed by GPs (14.9 percent) and pharmacists (9.2 percent). If you are aged 65 or over, pregnant, or have a health condition such as diabetes or heart disease that puts you at greater risk of influenza, you can get vaccinated free from 18 March 2020, at a general practice or vaccinating pharmacy. In week nine of 2019, pneumonia and influenza accounted for 7.2% of all the deaths that occurred. There have been 57 flu-related deaths in the … University of Otago's professor Michael Baker said often there's another way, which isn't always recorded on death certificates. She has encouraged every one at the Stokes Valley resthome she works in to be immunised after being hospitalised in February. This is because there are a number of influenza viruses and so far, a vaccine hasn't been made which covers all the various strains. Find statistics about the number of births and deaths registered in New Zealand each year. Around 880,000 (80%) of these people were asymptomatic carriers who could have spread the virus among their family, co-workers, classmates and patients without ever realising it. Make sure you have contact details for friends/family/neighbours so you can call them if you need help. Flutracking Unfortunately, people are still dying from the flu. 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This new shoplifter, with its parents' tricks up its baggy sweatshirt sleeve, would be completely unrecognisable to the shopkeeper. The 2019–2020 New Zealand measles outbreak refers to an ongoing epidemic affecting New Zealand, though primarily in the Auckland region. She puts part of this down to more people knowing they don't need to make a doctor's appointment to get a flu shot as well as increased awareness that getting a flu shot is a way to stay well over winter. Region: Northland; Auckland If you are unwell, stay at home until you are better. The influenza virus spreads very quickly from person to person through touch as well as through the air. A third strain, B/Colorado, is a close relative of B/Washington strain and so likely to provide reasonable protection. keep the child at home resting until they are well. Starting in your respiratory tract, the virus carjacks cells, taking them over and then forcing them to replicate more virus cells. Take them as directed. People at higher risk of developing complications if they get influenza include: People aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with certain chronic conditions and young children with a history of severe respiratory illness are eligible for free influenza immunisation – the list of eligible health conditions is available at the Fight Flu website. "Vaccine effectiveness overall comes out at around 50 per cent. What's circulating this year may be a different virus, or it could be last year's strain has drifted or shifted beyond what the body can recognise. Already 139 people have died and it's predicted this could rise to 4000 by the time the flu season is over. More often, opportunistic bacteria will infect lungs weakened by influenza. A new monitoring system that enables people to help us track flu across New Zealand. For those not eligible for funded influenza vaccination, it costs between $25 and $45 depending on the vaccine and provider. The flu has killed more than 220 people so far this year, and NSW is one of the worst states hit. The chemokines also create huge numbers of T cells, an elite force of virus-seekers, and kill white blood cells. B/Victoria virus strain circulating in New Zealand during the 2019 season. Since 2011, trained pharmacists have also been allowed to administer the vaccine. For more information, phone 0800 Immune (0800 466 863) or visit Fight Flu. Regular hand-washing is important, but a yearly flu shot is likely to be your best bet to avoid whatever viruses happen to be circulating. The influenza vaccine (also called the flu vaccine) is used to prevent infection caused by the influenza (flu) virus. Pharmac Immunisation is your best defence against the flu. If you're unlucky you might experience a complication, such as a secondary infection, or death. 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