2009 flu pandemic in Oceania
Encyclopedia
The 2009 flu pandemic in Oceania, part of an epidemic
in 2009 of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 causing what has been commonly called swine flu, has (as of 27 June 2009) afflicted at over 22,000 people
in Oceania
, with 56 confirmed deaths. Almost all of the cases in Oceania have been in Australia
, where the majority of cases have resulted from internal community spread of the virus. In addition, the government of New Zealand
, where most of the remainder of cases in Oceania have occurred, is on high alert for any people travelling into the country with flu-like symptoms.
As of July 9, 7,290 cases confirmed in Australia with 20 confirmed deaths. The alert level has been lifted from "delay" to "contain", giving authorities in all states the option to close schools if students are at risk.
Australia has a stockpile of 8.7 million doses of Tamiflu and Relenza. Airlines have been required to report passengers from the Americas
with influenza symptoms, and nurses have been deployed at international airports.
On May 9, the first confirmed case in Australia was reported.
On May 20, four additional cases were reported, one in New South Wales and three in Victoria.
On May 21, an additional case was reported in Victoria. Victorian health authorities close Clifton Hill
Primary School for two days (initially) after three brothers return to the school from a trip to Disneyland and are confirmed to have H1N1.
On May 22, cases were reported in South Australia and Victoria, including the first reported cases where the virus was contracted in Australia.
On May 25, the first confirmed case in Western Australia was reported.
On May 26, 3 additional cases were reported in Sydney. The newly confirmed cases involved two children who arrived in Sydney on the cruise ship named Pacific Dawn and another child who had recently returned from a trip to the United States. NSW Health issued a directive to the 2000 passengers who arrived in Sydney on the Pacific Dawn requiring that they stay at home for 7 days.
On 19 June the first confirmed death from swine flu in Australia was a 26-year-old Aboriginal man from Kiwirrkurra Community in the Western Desert
of Western Australia who died in Royal Adelaide Hospital
.
Fiji on Wednesday moved to high alert against the swine flu virus, with the authorities admitting the Pacific island nation was not immune to the rapidly spreading global threat.
On Thursday April 30, 2009, a traveller suspected of being infected by the swine flu virus is under close surveillance at Lautoka Hospital, said the Health Ministry. Hours later, the Health Ministry said there were two suspected cases. 2 cases of H1N1 confirmed in Fiji.
As of June 30, 2009 there are 10 confirmed cases of swine Flu in Fiji.
On 10 July 2009, a total of 52 cases of swine flu were confirmed in the nation.
French Polynesia
has reported no cases of swine flu so far. Officials installed a thermal imaging camera
on April 27, 2009, at Faa'a International Airport
in Tahiti
to screen all arriving international passengers. French Polynesia has 48,000 Tamiflu anti-viral
treatments available in case of an outbreak, and more can be flown into Tahiti within twenty-four hours.
On June 10, 2009, French Polynesia reported its first confirmed case in the islands.
On June 2, 2009 the authorities in New Caledonia refused to allow the cruise-ship from Australia, the Dawn Princess to dock because five patients on board had flu-like symptoms.
The impact in New Zealand has been unprecedented, with school closures across the country. There have been only isolated instances of community transmission.
On Saturday 25 April
2009 ten students from Rangitoto College
, a secondary school in North Shore City, Auckland
, exhibited influenza symptoms on returning from a three week language trip to Mexico. All 22 students and three accompanying teachers from the trip and those in close contact with them were placed in voluntary home isolation and treated with oseltamivir
. The ten students tested positive for an influenza A virus, with three of them later testing positive for swine flu. The symptoms were reportedly mild and all affected individuals have since recovered.
New Zealand has had a well-developed Influenza Pandemic action plan since 2006. Following this plan New Zealand immediately upgraded its influenza pandemic alert status to code yellow. The national stockpile of 1.4 million doses of oseltamivir was released to regional health authorities. The initial response as specified in the Pandemic Action Plan is a policy of border control and cluster control via voluntary quarantine and treatment of contacts with oseltamivir. As of May 24, this policy appears to have been successful in preventing the Mexican Flu from spreading within New Zealand.
New Zealand had about 48,000 influenza cases in the 2008 flu season – 42% of which were type A – and approximately 100 deaths a year directly attributed to influenza viruses.
As of July 21, there were 2,255 confirmed cases and 10 deaths. The Ministry Of Health changed plan from 'Containment' to 'Care in the Community'.
Palau has issued a health alert for swine flu.
Health Minister Dr. Stevenson Kuartei told reporters that although there is no reported case in Palau, a Task Force has been convened to increase screening of passengers entering the country.
On July 5, Palau confirmed its first case.
On June 15, a young Port Moresby
adult has contracted the Disease.
Dr Mathias Sapuri said they are doing all they can to try to limit the spread of the virus.
The process of the step up of clinical surveillance in the country has been picked up by most health facilities throughout the country now. We are taking swab tests and are making clinical judgments on swine flu, to get on to the Tamiflu treatment.
Mathias Sapuri said health staff are also visiting the provinces to bring medication and test kits to them, and to help with their preparedness.
As of July 2, 2009, only one case is confirmed in the country
On June 15, Health Authorities confirmed the first case of flu. An Australian young student tested positive.
A multi-sectoral task force has been activated by the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health to deal with the swine influenza virus.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Service Lester Ross said a task force is managing the Solomon Island Ministry of health's response to recent threat of swine flu epidemic.
On June 15, Health Authorities confirmed the first case of flu.
Most supplies and food shipments to Tokelau are sent by ferry from the neighboring country of Samoa
. The Samoa Health Ministry had cancelled all travel to Tokelau until further notice as a precaution against the introduction of swine flu to the Tokelauan population. The Operations Manager for the Tokelau Office in Apia, Samoa
, Makalio Ioane, confirmed that some ferry travel would still be allowed to Tokelau, but the ship's crew would not be allowed to leave the boat or dock in Tokelau. The boat will be off loaded without any physical contact with the Tokelauan population. No cases of swine flu have been reported on either Tokelau or Samoa, so the cessation of travel to Tokelau is considered a precaution.
Tonga has set up an Emergency Taskforce and is performing screen checks at its International Airport for passengers experiencing influenza symptoms, most importantly from flights originating from Los Angeles. In Early July Tonga confirmed its first case of Swine flu and on July 21 its first death.
One suspected case of swine flu has been identified in Nauru. Travelers entering Nauru are now screened for influenza symptoms, most importantly from flights originating from North America.
Travelers entering the country via Santo-Pekoa International Airport
and Bauerfield International Airport
are now being screened using body heat detection before being allowed to exit the airport's gates. 1st case confirm in Vanuatu.
Epidemic
In epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
in 2009 of a new strain of influenza A virus subtype H1N1 causing what has been commonly called swine flu, has (as of 27 June 2009) afflicted at over 22,000 people
Human
Humans are the only living species in the Homo genus...
in Oceania
Oceania
Oceania is a region centered on the islands of the tropical Pacific Ocean. Conceptions of what constitutes Oceania range from the coral atolls and volcanic islands of the South Pacific to the entire insular region between Asia and the Americas, including Australasia and the Malay Archipelago...
, with 56 confirmed deaths. Almost all of the cases in Oceania have been in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where the majority of cases have resulted from internal community spread of the virus. In addition, the government of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, where most of the remainder of cases in Oceania have occurred, is on high alert for any people travelling into the country with flu-like symptoms.
Australia
 |
 |
 |
As of July 9, 7,290 cases confirmed in Australia with 20 confirmed deaths. The alert level has been lifted from "delay" to "contain", giving authorities in all states the option to close schools if students are at risk.
Australia has a stockpile of 8.7 million doses of Tamiflu and Relenza. Airlines have been required to report passengers from the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
with influenza symptoms, and nurses have been deployed at international airports.
On May 9, the first confirmed case in Australia was reported.
On May 20, four additional cases were reported, one in New South Wales and three in Victoria.
On May 21, an additional case was reported in Victoria. Victorian health authorities close Clifton Hill
Clifton Hill, Victoria
Clifton Hill is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 4 km north-east from Melbourne's central business district. The border between Clifton Hill and Fitzroy North is Queens Parade and Smith Street. Merri Creek defines the eastern border of Clifton Hill. Its Local Government Area is...
Primary School for two days (initially) after three brothers return to the school from a trip to Disneyland and are confirmed to have H1N1.
On May 22, cases were reported in South Australia and Victoria, including the first reported cases where the virus was contracted in Australia.
On May 25, the first confirmed case in Western Australia was reported.
On May 26, 3 additional cases were reported in Sydney. The newly confirmed cases involved two children who arrived in Sydney on the cruise ship named Pacific Dawn and another child who had recently returned from a trip to the United States. NSW Health issued a directive to the 2000 passengers who arrived in Sydney on the Pacific Dawn requiring that they stay at home for 7 days.
On 19 June the first confirmed death from swine flu in Australia was a 26-year-old Aboriginal man from Kiwirrkurra Community in the Western Desert
Western Desert cultural bloc
The Western Desert cultural bloc or just Western Desert is a cultural region in Australia covering about 600,000 square kilometres, including the Gibson Desert, the Great Victoria Desert, the Great Sandy and Little Sandy Deserts in the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia...
of Western Australia who died in Royal Adelaide Hospital
Royal Adelaide Hospital
The Royal Adelaide Hospital is Adelaide's largest hospital, with 680 beds. Founded in 1840, the Royal Adelaide provides tertiary health care services for South Australia and provides secondary care clinical services to residents of Adelaide's city centre and inner suburbs.The hospital is situated...
.
Fiji
Fiji on Wednesday moved to high alert against the swine flu virus, with the authorities admitting the Pacific island nation was not immune to the rapidly spreading global threat.On Thursday April 30, 2009, a traveller suspected of being infected by the swine flu virus is under close surveillance at Lautoka Hospital, said the Health Ministry. Hours later, the Health Ministry said there were two suspected cases. 2 cases of H1N1 confirmed in Fiji.
As of June 30, 2009 there are 10 confirmed cases of swine Flu in Fiji.
On 10 July 2009, a total of 52 cases of swine flu were confirmed in the nation.
French Polynesia
French PolynesiaFrench Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
has reported no cases of swine flu so far. Officials installed a thermal imaging camera
Thermal imaging camera
A Thermal Imaging Camera is a type of thermographic camera used in firefighting. By rendering infrared radiation as visible light, such cameras allow firefighters to see areas of heat through smoke, darkness, or heat-permeable barriers. Thermal imaging cameras are typically handheld, but may be...
on April 27, 2009, at Faa'a International Airport
Faa'a International Airport
- Overview :The Faaa International Airport is a relatively small airport. Air Tahiti has flights every day going to all the other islands in French Polynesia while international flights go to different countries such as the United States or New Zealand. The airport is on Tahiti which is an island...
in Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
to screen all arriving international passengers. French Polynesia has 48,000 Tamiflu anti-viral
Antiviral drug
Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections. Like antibiotics for bacteria, specific antivirals are used for specific viruses...
treatments available in case of an outbreak, and more can be flown into Tahiti within twenty-four hours.
On June 10, 2009, French Polynesia reported its first confirmed case in the islands.
IndonesiaIndonesiaIndonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
New Caledonia
On June 2, 2009 the authorities in New Caledonia refused to allow the cruise-ship from Australia, the Dawn Princess to dock because five patients on board had flu-like symptoms.
New Zealand
The impact in New Zealand has been unprecedented, with school closures across the country. There have been only isolated instances of community transmission.On Saturday 25 April
ANZAC Day
Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand, commemorated by both countries on 25 April every year to honour the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire during World War I. It now more broadly commemorates all...
2009 ten students from Rangitoto College
Rangitoto College
Rangitoto College is the largest secondary school in New Zealand with over 3,000 students as of 2007. The Correspondence School has more enrolled secondary students, but fewer full-time equivalent secondary students....
, a secondary school in North Shore City, Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, exhibited influenza symptoms on returning from a three week language trip to Mexico. All 22 students and three accompanying teachers from the trip and those in close contact with them were placed in voluntary home isolation and treated with oseltamivir
Oseltamivir
Oseltamivir INN , an antiviral drug, slows the spread of influenza virus between cells in the body by stopping the virus from chemically cutting ties with its host cell; median time to symptom alleviation is reduced by 0.5–1 day. The drug is sold under the trade name Tamiflu, and is taken orally...
. The ten students tested positive for an influenza A virus, with three of them later testing positive for swine flu. The symptoms were reportedly mild and all affected individuals have since recovered.
New Zealand has had a well-developed Influenza Pandemic action plan since 2006. Following this plan New Zealand immediately upgraded its influenza pandemic alert status to code yellow. The national stockpile of 1.4 million doses of oseltamivir was released to regional health authorities. The initial response as specified in the Pandemic Action Plan is a policy of border control and cluster control via voluntary quarantine and treatment of contacts with oseltamivir. As of May 24, this policy appears to have been successful in preventing the Mexican Flu from spreading within New Zealand.
New Zealand had about 48,000 influenza cases in the 2008 flu season – 42% of which were type A – and approximately 100 deaths a year directly attributed to influenza viruses.
As of July 21, there were 2,255 confirmed cases and 10 deaths. The Ministry Of Health changed plan from 'Containment' to 'Care in the Community'.
Palau
Palau has issued a health alert for swine flu.Health Minister Dr. Stevenson Kuartei told reporters that although there is no reported case in Palau, a Task Force has been convened to increase screening of passengers entering the country.
On July 5, Palau confirmed its first case.
Papua New Guinea
On June 15, a young Port MoresbyPort Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
adult has contracted the Disease.
Dr Mathias Sapuri said they are doing all they can to try to limit the spread of the virus.
The process of the step up of clinical surveillance in the country has been picked up by most health facilities throughout the country now. We are taking swab tests and are making clinical judgments on swine flu, to get on to the Tamiflu treatment.
Mathias Sapuri said health staff are also visiting the provinces to bring medication and test kits to them, and to help with their preparedness.
As of July 2, 2009, only one case is confirmed in the country
Samoa
On June 15, Health Authorities confirmed the first case of flu. An Australian young student tested positive.
Solomon Islands
A multi-sectoral task force has been activated by the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health to deal with the swine influenza virus.Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Service Lester Ross said a task force is managing the Solomon Island Ministry of health's response to recent threat of swine flu epidemic.
On June 15, Health Authorities confirmed the first case of flu.
Tokelau
Most supplies and food shipments to Tokelau are sent by ferry from the neighboring country of SamoaSamoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
. The Samoa Health Ministry had cancelled all travel to Tokelau until further notice as a precaution against the introduction of swine flu to the Tokelauan population. The Operations Manager for the Tokelau Office in Apia, Samoa
Apia, Samoa
-Administration:Apia is part of the Tuamasaga political district and of election district Vaimauga West and Faleata East. There is no city administration for Apia. Apia consists of some 45 individual, independent villages...
, Makalio Ioane, confirmed that some ferry travel would still be allowed to Tokelau, but the ship's crew would not be allowed to leave the boat or dock in Tokelau. The boat will be off loaded without any physical contact with the Tokelauan population. No cases of swine flu have been reported on either Tokelau or Samoa, so the cessation of travel to Tokelau is considered a precaution.
Tonga
Tonga has set up an Emergency Taskforce and is performing screen checks at its International Airport for passengers experiencing influenza symptoms, most importantly from flights originating from Los Angeles. In Early July Tonga confirmed its first case of Swine flu and on July 21 its first death.
Nauru
One suspected case of swine flu has been identified in Nauru. Travelers entering Nauru are now screened for influenza symptoms, most importantly from flights originating from North America.
Vanuatu
Travelers entering the country via Santo-Pekoa International AirportSanto-Pekoa International Airport
Santo-Pekoa International Airport is an airport in Luganville on Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu . Airports Vanuatu Limited provides aviation services for the airport.-Airlines and destinations:-History:...
and Bauerfield International Airport
Bauerfield International Airport
Bauerfield International Airport is an airport located in Port Vila, Vanuatu. The airport is relatively small in size, but its runway has the capability and length to accept jets up to the Boeing 767. It serves as the hub for Vanuatu's flag carrier airline, Air Vanuatu.-Overview:The airport was...
are now being screened using body heat detection before being allowed to exit the airport's gates. 1st case confirm in Vanuatu.
Timeline
| 2009 | A(H1N1) Outbreak and Pandemic Milestones in Oceania |
|---|---|
| 28 April | First case confirmed in New Zealand. |
| 9 May | First case confirmed in Australia. |
| 28 May | Community outbreaks confirmed in Australia. |
| 10 June | First case confirmed in French Polynesia. |
| 15 June | First confirmed case in Solomon Islands. |
| 16 June | First confirmed case in Samoa. |
| 18 June | First confirmed case in Papua New Guinea. |
| 19 June | First confirmed death in Australia. |
| 21 June | First case confirmed in Fiji. |
| 24 June | First case confirmed in Vanuatu. |
| 27 June | First case confirmed in New Caledonia. |
| 4 July | First confirmed death in New Zealand. |
| 5 July | First case confirmed in Palau. |
| 7 July |  First case confirmed in Cook Islands. |
| 11 July | Community outbreaks confirmed in New Zealand. |
| 14 July |  First case confirmed in Marshall Islands. |
| 15 July | First case confirmed in Tonga. |
| 20 July |  First death confirmed in Guam. |
| 21 July |  First case confirmed in Federated States of Micronesia. |
 First case confirmed in Northern Mariana Islands. |
|
| 22 July | First death confirmed in Tonga. |
| 23 July |  First case confirmed in American Samoa. |
| 26 July | Community outbreaks confirmed in Fiji. |
| 31 July | First case confirmed in Nauru. |
| 6 August |  First case confirmed in Kiribati. |
| 7 August | First death confirmed in Samoa. |
| 12 August |  First case confirmed in Wallis and Futuna. |
| 13 August |  First case confirmed in Tuvalu. |
| 18 August | First death confirmed in Cook Islands. |
| 22 August | First death confirmed in New Caledonia. |
| 24 August | First death confirmed in French Polynesia. |
| 3 September | First death confirmed in Marshall Islands. |
| 11 September | First case of Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) resistance found in Australia. |
| 15 September | First death confirmed in Solomon Islands. |