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Risk in NZ:
If avian H5N1 enters NZ via an infected bird there is little direct human health threat as long as the virus does not establish itself in bird populations in NZ. More... |
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No Current Risk in NZ Birds:
It is also important to emphasise that, at present, the H5N1 virus does not pose a threat to human health - except in those who have contact with sick birds in the countries affected.
There are no birds infected with H5N1 in New Zealand currently.
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INFLUENZA: seasonal, avian
and pandemic
Seasonal
Influenza is a common viral respiratory illness in people. Seasonal
outbreaks affect 10 - 20% of New Zealand's population yearly.
Classical symptoms are sudden onset of fever, headache, and body aches
with cough and runny nose developing later. Click here for full topic..
Seasonal influenza is usually a self-limiting illness, but can lead to complications especially in older people (>65 yrs), the very young and those with certain medical conditions, such as pulmonary, cardiac
or metabolic diseases, eg diabetes (For a list of groups considered at
higher risk from influenza and recommended to have seasonal influenza
vaccination, see http://www.moh.govt.nz/publications/immunisationhandbook2002). It is estimated that seasonal influenza causes up to half a million deaths per year globally.
A New Zealand estimate, based on an analysis of excess deaths in the
influenza seasons in the years 1980 - 1992, attributed an average of
769 deaths per year to influenza (primary or secondary diagnosis),
but modelling estimated that there were 5650 excess deaths through this
period, contributing a futher 435 more deaths per year on average.
The report noted that only a fraction of these deaths are recognised as being caused by influenza.
> Avian Influenza
> Influenza Pandemics
> The 1918 Pandemic
> 1957 and 1968 Pandemics
> The Current Situation
> Progress of Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus
> Pandemic Potential
> The Impact on New Zealand
> Modelling the Impact
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