Swine flu deaths reach 19 in New Zealand

The total number of deaths in New Zealand attributed to swine flu is now 19 following a coroner's investigation of the September 21 death of a 35-year-old woman, with underlying medical conditions, in Waikato.

But the Ministry of Health expected the number to rise as the coroner completes investigations into a number of flu-related deaths over the last few months.

As at midday today there was no one in hospital with confirmed swine flu (H1N1) or its complications.

The outbreak among Japanese students in Christchurch served as a timely reminder, the ministry said.

Last weekend, some students among a group visiting from Japan developed influenza. Four students tested positive for swine flu and a number of others had influenza-like symptoms.

The ministry said it appeared that their illness originated in Japan.

Following treatment the group were all declared safe to travel and left New Zealand yesterday.

Levels of influenza activity were increasing in the northern hemisphere, and with international travel it was likely NZ would see further clusters of cases over coming months, the ministry said.

- NZPA