Swine flu still a threat here - MoH

New Zealand is still seeing a significant level of swine flu despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) announcing the world to be in post-pandemic phase, Deputy Director of Public Health Darren Hunt said today.

The WHO has recognised that New Zealand is still experiencing the effects of a second wave of the H1N1 virus.

The organisation has declared the swine flu pandemic over but warns that countries should follow New Zealand's vigilance, quick detection, and treatment through the post-pandemic period.

WHO director-general Margaret Chan said the virus had not gone away.

"We expect the H1N1 virus to take on the behaviour of a seasonal influenza virus and continue to circulate for some years to come," she said.

The step to downgrade followed advice given Tuesday by the WHO's advisory emergency committee of 15 external scientists, who heard presentations from health officials from countries reporting cases of H1N1, including New Zealand.

Ms Chan said globally, levels and patterns of H1N1 transmission differed significantly from what was seen during the pandemic with out-of-season outbreaks no longer being reported.

Dr Hunt said New Zealanders still needed to remain vigilant as there had been significant outbreaks of influenza in some areas which had resulted in high levels of absenteeism from work and school and higher than normal hospital admissions.

"While some countries have seen H1N1 virus decline or crowded out by other strains, this is not the case in New Zealand," he said.

"The pandemic influenza strain is the predominant strain circulating this winter. We are seeing higher levels of hospitalisation in areas that weren't severely affected last year. To date, there had been over 300 people admitted to hospital this year with confirmed H1N1, which includes over 30 people admitted to intensive care," Dr Hunt warned.

Four people are believed to have died from swine flu in New Zealand this year.

A Christchurch woman, 44, and a Wellington man, 38, died on Sunday; they were the latest reported deaths related to the virus. The deaths follow those of a Northland man, 51, last month, and a Tauranga woman, 48, in June.

Ms Chan said many countries reported good vaccination coverage, and recently published studies indicated that 20 to 40 per cent of the population in some areas have some level of protective immunity.

"Continued vigilance is extremely important, and the WHO has issued advice on recommended surveillance, vaccination, and clinical management."

Worldwide more than 214 countries and overseas territories have reported cases of H1N1, and there have been more than 18,440 deaths.

- NZPA