NZ's confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 down to five

Special Report:
World Tackles A/H1N1
Flu
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WELLINGTON, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed
cases of influenza A/H1N1 in New Zealand dropped one to five on Wednesday, the
Health Ministry said.

More tests were carried out on a sixth person who was
identified on Tuesday as having the influenza A/H1N1 virus but the tests ruled
out the virus.

The Ministry of Health said that there are 14
probable cases - down one from earlier on Wednesday.

The number of suspected cases is 84. Furthermore,
there are 358people in isolation and being treated with Tamiflu.

Meanwhile, six students and two teachers from
Avondale College in Auckland are in self-imposed isolation after traveling on a
plane from America with a person suspected of having the virus.

"Public health staff are working to make sure people
are well informed and as comfortable as possible while in isolation," said
Health Ministry Deputy Director of Public Health Fran McGrath on Wednesday.

McGrath said this was necessary to limit any spread
of the influenza A/H1N1 virus.

"So far we've been successful in stopping the virus
spreading in the community and this is largely due to people being understanding
and cooperating," McGrath said.

Numbers of suspected cases, and those receiving
treatment and in isolation, will fluctuate when more suspected cases are found,
or suspected cases are ruled out.

There is no evidence of community transmission in New
Zealand which is in the containment phase.

"We are continuing to maintain our emphasis on
limiting the spread," McGrath said.