Source: Xinhua
04-28-2009 11:19
Special Report: Tech MaxWELLINGTON, April 28 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand health officials were investigating 56 new cases of suspected swine flu, as the World Health Organization warned of a significantly increased risk of an influenza pandemic.
In addition to the 10 already "probable" swine flu cases in Auckland's Rangitoto College, tests have been conducted on a further 56 people in New Zealand over the past days who have flu-like symptoms and have visited Mexico or the United States in the past two weeks.
"There are 10 probable cases - those are the Rangitoto cases - plus an additional 56 people have presented with symptoms," Health Minister Tony Ryall told a media conference in Wellington on Tuesday.
"These are people who have been in Mexico or the United States in the last two weeks. They are people who may or may not have influenza A."
"It's a time for caution and concern, but not a time for panic,"Ryall said.
Swine flu - a strain of influenza A - is suspected of causing at least 149 deaths in Mexico and infecting nearly 2000. Cases have also been reported in the United States, Canada, Spain and France.
The World Health Organization has raised its pandemic alert for swine flu by one level, two steps short of declaring a full-blown pandemic.
Ryall said the WHO had indicated a rise to level five was imminent and the organization had also advised it would be six to eight months before a vaccine could be made to battle the virus.
Ten people who went to Mexico on a Rangitoto College school trip tested positive for influenza A over the weekend.
It will not be known until results are returned from a World Health Organization laboratory in Melbourne - if they have the new strain of swine influenza.
