Swine flu death toll continues to rise

File photo / NZ Herald

Swine flu has claimed its 17th life this winter, but the number of people being infected appears to be falling, the Ministry of Health says.

The number of influenza-related calls to Healthline was back to normal, although the overall number of calls had increased since Saturday's earthquake in Christchurch, ministry director of public health Mark Jacobs said.

At midday today, there were 648 confirmed cases of H1N1, including 11 people still in intensive care.

Thirteen of the 17 deaths have been confirmed as swine flu.

"It's important to seek medical advice early, particularly for people with underlying medical conditions or who are severely overweight or pregnant as they are at greater risk of a more severe illness," Mr Jacobs said.

Symptoms of influenza can include a high fever, headache, cough, sore throat, tiredness and aching all over.

- NZPA