Seasonal Flu Kills Hundreds In New Zealand Every Year

Hundreds of New Zealanders die from seasonal flu every year. A new study revealed the death toll from influenza has reached 17 times the official rate.

A study conducted by the University of Otago in Wellington found that about 401 influenza-related deaths were recorded from 1990 to 2008. According to the New Zealand Doctor, the figure is 17 times higher than the official figures. Michael Baker, co-author of the study, said in a press release that is now the biggest cause of death by an infectious disease in the country. Flu-related deaths also accounts for 1.6 percent of total medical deaths between 1990 and 2008.

Baker told media that he was surprised that officials had not noticed the number of influenza-related deaths. Most of the deaths or 86 percent were among people aged over 65 who died as a result of influenza, causing a second illness such as pneumonia, stroke or a heart attack.

Baker believes influenza may interfere with the formation of blood clots and trigger inflammation which usually happens in patients with co-morbidities. He said influenza is often "missed" as the cause of death partly due to the fact that it appears to be something else.

Baker explained that during winter, New Zealand records 1,600 extra deaths with one-fourth being attributed to seasonal influenza. He said winter deaths have become a problem because some deaths are believed to be preventable. People living in cold, damp houses are susceptible to flu during the winter. The official media release indicated that the mortality rates for seasonal influenza varied widely over the 18-year period, but data showed it was domnated by H3N2 or influenza A.

Meanwhile, New Zealanders are getting ready to fight a different kind of disease in the form of Ebola virus as the government facilitates the deployment of up to 24 volunteers to join an Australian mission in Sierra Leone. In a report by 3News, Health Minister Jonathan Coleman said recruitment for the mission were opened last week and attracted the interest of 34 people via the Ministry of Health Web site. Australia has hired private medical provider Aspen Medical to manage a treatment facility in Sierra Leone, including the training and deployment of volunteers.