Sudden rise in flu cases overloads hospital

Christchurch Hospital is cancelling non-acute or arranged admissions after a sudden jump in the number of people seeking treatment for flu and other winter illnesses.

The Canterbury District Health Board said the "significant rise" in demand for the hospital's services began last weekend.

Patients who had admissions cancelled temporarily would be contacted and another time arranged for them, the board's medical and surgical service general manager, Mark Leggett, said.

People with non-urgent illnesses or injuries were advised to see their doctor or visit an after-hours medical centre, rather than going to the hospital's emergency department.

"As well as cancelling non-acute admissions, we will be ensuring that beds in the hospital are being used in the best way possible to meet the increased need," Mr Leggett said.

"We are also reviewing our surgery lists for the next few days and addressing non-essential admissions from other hospitals."

Mr Leggett said hospital staff had been largely unaffected by the flu and "touch wood" were able to maintain a high level of services.

Health board virologist Lance Jennings said the flu virus affecting Christchurch people was the New York strain of Influenza A.

It had been circulating in New Zealand for months and seemed to be peaking in Christchurch now.

"Activity is likely to decrease over the next four to six weeks."

Dr Jennings said the virus affected mainly younger people, particularly young adults and children.

People aged over 65 appeared to be "relatively well-protected", possibly because many had flu vaccinations this year.

- NZPA