Cabinet Minister Nick Smith has been cleared of swine flu after testing positive for Influenza A.
The Nelson MP has been at home resting with the virus. Test results back today confirmed he does not have swine flu.
According to the latest statistics from the Ministry of Health released today,
the numbers of those in isolation have jumped from 111 to 401.
There are 136 people suspected of having influenza A, while 13 are listed as probable swine flu infections after testing positive for influenza A.
These numbers are also up, with only 104 suspected of having Influenza A yesterday.
There are still only three confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand.
The Government today said it had ordered 125,000 doses of alternative flu treatment Relenza.
The move will boost by 10 per cent the current 1.25m doses it has of Tamiflu, which became available for over-the-counter sales today.
Relenza is an equivalent treatment but is administered with a puffer.
Online auction
Tamiflu today appeared for sale on the internet auction site Trade Me.
The auctioneer said they bought the medicine but are unable to use it because they are pregnant.
Tamiflu is available to people who show flu-like symptoms or with a prescription from a doctor.
Ministry of Health spokeswoman Karalyn Vandeursen said the private sale of Tamiflu is illegal.
Trade Me spokesman Mike O'Donnell said the site has so far pulled six listings of Tamiflu today.
"It's either fake or a hoax," Mr O'Donnell said.
He said Trade Me had a policy of not allowing therapeutic medicines to be sold on the site.
Mr O'Donnell said they could not stop people from listing items on the site but could stop them from selling the item.
A spokesman for Mr Smith said he went into voluntary isolation a few days ago.
"He had a bit of a fever, he's much better now."
Tests confirmed influenza A.
Dr Smith recently returned from his honeymoon in Asia with Linley Newport after their April 18 wedding.
Meanwhile, Health officials are tracing the work contacts of an Auckland man who tested positive to influenza A, and had been infectious for seven days prior to being tested by his doctor.
The man arrived in Auckland on April 19 from the United States and returned to work. He started developing flu-like symptoms on April 22 but did not visit his doctor until April 28.
His close contacts have already been quarantined and treated with Tamiflu.
But director of public health Dr Mark Jacobs said as with any influenza, carriers are typically infectious for one day before developing symptoms and about a week after.
- With NZPA and NZHERALD STAFF
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Anyone who has travelled to Mexico or North America in the last seven days should contact Healthline (0800 611 116) for information. They should seek medical advice if they are displaying flu-like symptoms. Click here for the Ministry of Health’s influenza website.
