Influenza still lurks in Hawke's Bay community

Dr Andrew Burns says influenza is still very much present in the Hawke's Bay community. Photo / File

Just when people thought they were safe from the wrath of influenza, it slyly appeared from the shadows, pushing Hawke's Bay hospital into code red and leaving many others bedridden for days.

The lurking virus isn't planning to go anywhere just yet, with health officials encouraging people to get their flu jabs if they haven't already.

Hawke's Bay DHB infectious diseases specialist Doctor Andrew Burns says influenza has struck six weeks later than usual.

"In the last three or four weeks we've seen flu being regularly diagnosed in the hospital."

In terms of why the flu struck so late, Burns said he would like to think the population has had a highly regular vaccine coverage within the last few years.

"The timing of school holidays and things like that can sometimes influence the circulation of the virus in our community.

"What we're largely seeing the H1N1 strain of influenza (otherwise known as influenza A) for the past number of years, so, as a community, we've got a reasonable coverage of that strain so I think that's made a difference."

Hawke's Bay Hospital remains busy, with patients being diagnosed with the virus on a daily basis according to Burns.

"We've improved our testing capabilities so that has helped us to understand the nature of what patients are presenting us with.

"We use a sensitive swabbing system which certainly gives us confidence that we know what we're dealing with when we have a sick patient in front of us."

Despite influenza being diagnosed on a daily basis, Burns says the numbers of cases are still below the typical winter season.

"We haven't seen reached those peaks now for two years, again maybe because our vaccine is working quite well across the region."

Burns says the flu vaccine was slightly delayed this year as health staff needed to ensure that it was the strain they were expecting and wanted to get it right.

Numbers for the vaccine have improved since last year and Burns says the DHB has been putting plenty of effort to encourage people to get their vaccinations.

He says about 31 per cent of the Hawke's Bay population have received vaccinations, matching other regions nationwide.

So far, about 48,234 doses have been distributed in Hawke's Bay, right up until the end of August.

"It's a good amount, but there's definitely room for improvement, that's about one in three people getting their vaccine.

"We haven't met our recommendations of everyone over 6 months of age getting their vaccine. The CDC in America certainly recommends that all US residents over the age of 6 months should receive an annual vaccine. In this country it's not funded for everyone over 6 months.

"Our vaccine is funded to the elderly and those with chronic health conditions, so I think our numbers are reasonable under the circumstances. The vaccine is available and I'd highly recommend going in for a vaccination."