District Health Boards and Civil Defence Encourage Public to Prepare Now for The Flu

Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management Group and District Health Boards are advising Cantabrians to prepare now for the increased amount of flu that will be in our community this winter.

Dr Nigel Millar, Canterbury District Health Board's Chief Medical Officer said, "seasonal influenza is now circulating and the number of people with Swine Influenza A (H1N1) is increasing. While this new type of influenza will make only a relatively small number of people so sick that they need to be in hospital, it is predicted that up to half of our population could become unwell in the next few months."

"This will affect the daily lives and routines of people throughout Canterbury, ranging from possible school closures and cancelled sports matches to accessing health care in a different way and keeping a metre apart from people at the supermarket."

Daniel Williams, South Canterbury Medical Officer of Health said, "this is something we all need to plan and prepare for to ensure that our families have all they would need if they had to stay at home for seven days.  We also need to ask friends, neighbours and relatives if they would be available to help if needed. Most people with the flu need to be away from school or work for about a week."

”Aside from preparing your household, the best things to do to protect yourself and your family from influenza are to follow simple precautions such as staying at home and away from others if you are sick, regular hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and cleaning household surfaces, particularly if one of your family is unwell.”

Jon Mitchell, Regional Emergency Management Office Manager said, "Health
services, local Civil Defence, emergency services and welfare organisations have been working together across Canterbury since the beginning of the current situation, to ensure that critical needs in the community are met during this pandemic.  We won't be able to help everyone in Canterbury though, only those who do not have support elsewhere in the community.  Individuals, families and community groups of all types need to be prepared to look after themselves and each other.

• If you or a family member has the flu, you will probably need to stay at     home for about a week.  This will affect your daily routines.
• Ensure now that you have at least seven days of food and basic supplies at home or that there is someone who can get them for your household.  This should include any baby supplies or pet supplies that your household would need important flu medication such as paracetamol to reduce fevers and enough of your everyday medicines to get you through.
• You may feel so unwell that you will be unable to care for people or animals you are responsible for.  You need to plan alternative arrangements for their care now.  Ask others in your family or community, friends or neighbours if they would be able to help you.
• Because you will be at home for a week, make sure you have power and gas for heating your home and cooking food.
• You may need help from other people when you are ill. Ask your friends or family, neighbours, colleagues or community group to assist you.  When you are fully recovered, you can help others who are sick.
  
  A community pandemic planning checklist is available online at
  www.cdemcanterbury.govt.nz. For more updates about the flu, people are encouraged to go to www.fluinfo.org.nz in Canterbury and www.scdhb.govt.nz for updates in South Canterbury.

ENDS