Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

First suspected swine flu death in Northland

Updated at 4:15 pm on 28 July 2010

Health authorities in Northland have reported the first ever suspected swine flu death in the region.

They say a 51-year-old man, who died suddenly earlier in July, was found to have the H1N1 virus. His death has been referred to the coroner.

Medical Officer of Health Jonathan Jarman says the man had an underlying health condition.

Dr Jarman says he has been asked about the safety of open casket tangi practices in deaths associated with H1N1 virus.

Dr Jarman says the virus does not survive long after a person's death and there is no reason why mourners should not touch or hold the body, or tupapaku, as long as they wash their hands afterwards.

He says the risk of influenza in large group settings, such as tangi, is catching the virus from someone else.

There have been only two confirmed cases of swine flu in Northland to date.

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