10 New Zealand kids have swine flu

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   NZ kids likely have swine flu 

WELLINGTON (New Zealand) -NEW Zealand's health minister said on Sunday 10 students who just returned from Mexico have tested positive for influenza. He said the cases are 'likely' to be swine flu. 
Tony Ryall said there was 'no guarantee' the students had swine flu, but that health officials were taking precautions. 
At least 81 people have died from severe pneumonia caused by a flu-like illness in Mexico, according to the World Health Organisation, which declared the virus a public health emergency of 'pandemic potential.' Mr Ryall said that none of the patients were seriously ill and seemed to be recovering. 
Thirteen high school students from a group of 25 students and teachers - who were quarantined and tested for swine influenza upon returning to New Zealand early on Saturday. 
'Ten students have tested positive for Influenza A, and these results will now be sent to the World Health Organisation laboratory in Melbourne to ascertain whether it is the H1N1 swine influenza.' H1N1 influenza is a subset of influenza A. 
The group from New Zealand's largest high school returned to the northern city of Auckland on Saturday on a flight from Los Angeles. Thirteen students and one teacher were unwell and one student had to be hospitalised, said Auckland Regional Public Health Services director Dr. Julia Peters. 
At this stage other passengers on the flight were not being sought and the next step would depend on what the tests showed, said Health Ministry spokesman Michael Flyger. 
Governments across the Asia-Pacific region were stepping up surveillance for the deadly virus after Mexico closed schools, museums, libraries and theaters in a bid to contain the outbreak. 
About 1,000 people may have been sickened there. Some of those who died are confirmed to have a unique version of the A/H1N1 flu virus that is a combination of bird, pig and human viruses, WHO said. 
US authorities said 11 people were infected with swine flu, and all recovered or are recovering and at least two were hospitalised. -- AP

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Midas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adviser Group Joined: September 05 2006 Status: Offline Points: 295	Post Options Post Reply Quote Midas Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: 10 New Zealand kids have swine flu Posted: April 26 2009 at 2:25am
	NZ kids likely have swine flu WELLINGTON (New Zealand) -NEW Zealand's health minister said on Sunday 10 students who just returned from Mexico have tested positive for influenza. He said the cases are 'likely' to be swine flu. Tony Ryall said there was 'no guarantee' the students had swine flu, but that health officials were taking precautions. At least 81 people have died from severe pneumonia caused by a flu-like illness in Mexico, according to the World Health Organisation, which declared the virus a public health emergency of 'pandemic potential.' Mr Ryall said that none of the patients were seriously ill and seemed to be recovering. Thirteen high school students from a group of 25 students and teachers - who were quarantined and tested for swine influenza upon returning to New Zealand early on Saturday. 'Ten students have tested positive for Influenza A, and these results will now be sent to the World Health Organisation laboratory in Melbourne to ascertain whether it is the H1N1 swine influenza.' H1N1 influenza is a subset of influenza A. The group from New Zealand's largest high school returned to the northern city of Auckland on Saturday on a flight from Los Angeles. Thirteen students and one teacher were unwell and one student had to be hospitalised, said Auckland Regional Public Health Services director Dr. Julia Peters. At this stage other passengers on the flight were not being sought and the next step would depend on what the tests showed, said Health Ministry spokesman Michael Flyger. Governments across the Asia-Pacific region were stepping up surveillance for the deadly virus after Mexico closed schools, museums, libraries and theaters in a bid to contain the outbreak. About 1,000 people may have been sickened there. Some of those who died are confirmed to have a unique version of the A/H1N1 flu virus that is a combination of bird, pig and human viruses, WHO said. US authorities said 11 people were infected with swine flu, and all recovered or are recovering and at least two were hospitalised. -- AP