Flu activity increasing gradually in New Zealand

Influenza activity is increasing and is at the level usually seen at this time of the year, New Zealand’s Ministry of Health said. The H1N1 pandemic flu virus is circulating in the country, though the rate of consultation for influenza-like illness identified through sentinel general practices remains below the baseline level, the ministry in Wellington said in a statement on its website today.

So far during 2010, four flu patients have been treated in the nation’s intensive care units, and one person is suspected to have died due to the infection, the ministry said.