Three more children die from acute illness, but not influenza B

WELLINGTON - Three more children have been found to have died from acute illnesses since the start of April, but none of the deaths were related to influenza B, the Health Ministry says.

The ministry this week reported three children had died in the past six weeks from influenza B complications in the North Island, where the virus is reaching epidemic rates in children and young people.

Today it said it had received information from all 21 district health boards asked to look into possible influenza B cases since April 1.

The boards had reported to the ministry 17 cases of children or young people who had become seriously ill, including the six who died. Seven of the remaining 11 had influenza B.

No more influenza B-related deaths had been identified, with two of the three children who died of acute illnesses having acute bacterial infection without evidence of influenza B.

Test results for the third child were pending.

All but one of the seriously ill children were in the North Island.

Chief advisor child and youth health Dr Pat Tuohy said the number of deaths reported to the ministry since April was what would be expected from infectious diseases at this time of year.

There were around 600 deaths every year of children and young people in this country; up to 60 of those would be related to some sort of infection, such as pneumonia or meningitis.

Two strains of influenza B were circulating -- Hong Kong and Shanghai. The three young people whose deaths were associated with influenza B had the Hong Kong strain.

New Zealand had not seen large numbers of people infected with Hong Kong B since 1987, although a few people had it in 2002.

"What that means is that most people born since 1987 will not have natural immunity so are more likely to be susceptible," Dr Tuohy said.

Parents, caregivers and clinicians needed to be aware that the impact of influenza B on children and adolescents could be much more severe than previously recognised.

Influenza B could lead to serious illness and death from a secondary infection in children.

"For parents, it's really important that we keep a close eye on children sick with flu-like symptoms. If children are unwell they should be kept at home from school with a parent or responsible guardian," he said.

Parents needed to remain vigilant and take speedy action if they thought their child was unwell and getting worse.

The ministry advised that sick children should be kept warm, given paracetamol -- not aspirin -- for fever and plenty of fluids.

If a child was not getting better, or improved and then developed another fever, or was having breathing difficulties, the child should be taken to a GP.

Another infection could develop after an initial diagnosis of influenza from a doctor, and if there were concerns a child should be taken back to the doctor.

The annual influenza immunisation was the best form of defence against the virus, the ministry said.

Of the two influenza B strains in circulation, B Shanghai was included in this year's vaccine. B Hong Kong was not in this year's vaccine but was included in last year's.

- NZPA