First Confirmed Case of Influenza A (H1N1) in Canterbury

The Canterbury resident was a passenger on Flight NZ5 which arrived in Auckland from Los Angeles early on 31 May 2009. 

Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Alistair Humphrey said, “the person had no symptoms until well after they arrived back in New Zealand so there is no risk to other passengers on the flight from this case.”

The person has now been quarantined at home with their family and given Tamiflu. 

Dr Humphrey said, “while the person has the unpleasant symptoms of influenza, they are not seriously unwell.”