31 Jul 2009

Swine Flu tracked by website

6:08 am on 31 July 2009

A new website mapping swine flu in the Pacific has been launched listing swine flu cases in the region.

Spread of the influenza H1N1 virus across the region is now tabled on the Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network's website.

The launch of the website comes as swine flu claims more victims in the Pacific.

The H1N1 virus claimed its first life in Tonga this week with the death of a 26-year-old pregnant woman who had been sick with flu like symptoms.

The woman's baby was delivered by Caesarean and is doing well.

There has also been a reported death from the virus in Guam last week.

Meanwhile Fiji and New Caledonia now have about 100 confirmed cases, while Samoa has more than sixty.

Schools have been shut down for a week in Samoa to try and stem the spread of the virus.

A special clinic in Apia is struggling to cope with hundreds of people seeking help.

In total 347 people in 16 Pacific nations, excluding Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii, have been confirmed as having the H1N1 virus.

The PPHSN website has been developed by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community.