Source: Xinhua

04-27-2009 10:38

WELLINGTON, April 27 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said on Monday that New Zealand was well prepared to handle swine flu and has increased surveillance.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key(File photo)

The health authorities has put the alert status for response to a potential influenza epidemic up from white to yellow, a stand-by phase which is one below the code red response phase.

Health Minister Tony Ryall confirmed on Sunday evening that there were 10 positive influenza results from testing carried out on 13 students from Auckland's Rangitoto College who returned from Mexico on Saturday. They stayed in Mexico for a three-week Spanish language course.

Ministry of Health officials said there was no guarantee these students have swine influenza but consider it likely.

The results have been sent to the World Health Organization laboratory in Melbourne to ascertain whether it was the H1N1 swine influenza. The results would be known in a few days.

A teacher who traveled to Mexico with Rangitoto College has also been admitted to hospital with influenza symptoms, the Ministry of Health announced on Monday morning.

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