Sudden drop in swine flu cases across Hawke's Bay after outbreak in seasonal workers

Hawke's Bay Hospital, Hastings. Photo / File

The outbreak in swine flu among fruit pickers seems to be over before it even began according to the Hawke's Bay District Health Board.

A Hawke's Bay District Health Board spokesperson said the influenza-like illness circulating among seasonal fruit pickers significantly dropped on Tuesday, with only two cases reported to Hastings Health Centre.

"Hawke's Bay Hospital has not had any people present to its Emergency Department with influenza-like illness today.

"Hawke's Bay District Health Board is continuing to monitor the situation, and will provide a further update if there is an increase in presentations to either hospital or medical centres again."

It's the first time the Hawke's Bay DHB has seen an outbreak of this kind among fruit workers during the summer months.

Hawke's Bay District Health Board's medical officer of health Nick Jones said as of Tuesday just under 100 fruit pickers in the region had experienced flu-like illness.