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Swine flu season begins with ’concerning’ first case recorded in Tasmania

27 March 2010 04:14 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Tasmania has recorded its first case of swine flu for the season prompting health warnings, APA reports quoting News.com.au web-page.
The Mercury reports health officials are bracing for the second wave of the potentially deadly H1N1 virus which is due to strike in April and May.
Last year, the World Health Organisation recorded nearly 15,000 deaths worldwide from the virus with seven Tasmanians dying because of complications with the flu.
Of concern to Tasmanian health officials is that the first case for this season was not a result of travel but contracted from within the community.
The Launceston woman in her 20s is not unwell but was showing signs of swine flu which was detected by her general practitioner.
The GP reported the confirmed case to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Deputy public health director Chrissie Pickin said the last notification of a swine flu infection was in January.
"We are not sure this is the start of the season yet but we are expecting it to hit at some point and we are busy preparing for that," Dr Pickin said.
"We are predicting that 75 per cent of the flu cases this season will be swine flu.
"That is why it is important we continue to roll out the vaccinations and ensure we get that cover to all of the vulnerable groups within the community.
"With all of the work we have done, we are confident that the second wave will be manageable."