Influenza Outbreak In New Zealand

05 Jul 2001

The health authorities in New Zealand have reported an influenza outbreak in the North Island of New Zealand. They expect the outbreak to affect the South Island of New Zealand in the coming weeks. The influenza outbreak in New Zealand corresponds with the increase in global activity during the winter season in the Southern Hemisphere.

In Singapore, the Ministry of Health's surveillance system of weekly attendances for Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) and influenza at the polyclinics has not shown any significant increase in the number of attendances. The weekly average number for the month of June 2001 was 9,000, which is well below the epidemic threshold. In January 1999, when there was an influenza outbreak in Singapore, the number of attendances for ARI ranged from about 14,000 to 20,000.

Nature of flu virus

Influenza is a bigger problem in temperate countries especially during winter because of the poorer ventilation indoors as windows are kept shut. The virus is thus more easily spread. In Singapore, influenza occurs all year round with two peak periods, around April to June and November to December, corresponding with the increase in global activity during winters in the Southern and Northern Hemispheres respectively.

Influenza is an acute viral disease of the respiratory tract, usually presenting with fever, cough, sorethroat and running nose. The disease is transmitted by the airborne route through droplets or close contact with an infected person. Persons of all ages can be affected but children and the elderly may be more severely affected and may occasionally have complications such as pneumonia. In the majority of cases, however, the illness is self-limiting and patients recover within a week.

The Ministry's advice

To avoid catching influenza, members of the public, particularly children and the elderly, are advised to avoid visiting crowded places. People can combat influenza by building up their body resistance by having a proper diet with adequate exercise and rest. People who develop influenza-like symptoms should consult their family doctors promptly. Strenuous physical activities like running and jogging should be avoided during the illness until complete recovery.

The Ministry of Health would like to advise travellers especially older adults going to New Zealand to protect themselves against the disease with influenza vaccination. The vaccination should be taken at least 1 to 2 weeks prior to departure as it takes time for the vaccination to take effect. Influenza vaccination is available at the Travel Clinics at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and Changi General Hospital, and the polyclinics. Travellers returning from New Zealand who have developed influenza-like symptoms are advised to seek medical attention promptly.