From New Zealand's MOH :
" A major new scientific study, estimates that 1.26 million or 29% of New Zealanders were immune to the pandemic influenza virus by March this year. But a large proportion of the population remain vulnerable.
Since the testing was completed many New Zealanders have also been immunised against pandemic influenza, however, given that there is still a large proportion of the population at risk from infection this winter, both influenza immunisation and basic measures to stop the spread of influenza remain important.
The Ministry commissioned study, conducted by ESR, estimates that of the 1.26 million people, about 480,000 people had some immunity prior to last year’s pandemic wave, mostly in the older age groups. An additional 780,000 were estimated to have been infected during 2009. The highest rate of infection during 2009 was in school age children - where one in three children were affected. Almost half of those infected showed no obvious symptoms.
ESR’s national influenza centre head, Dr Sue Huang, said the rate of pandemic influenza A H1N1 infection during 2009 varied greatly by age – with the most surprising finding of the study being how many young people were affected.
“The high rate of transmission and infection among school-aged children was about ten times higher than we initially estimated based on clinical surveillance.
“This study confirms that the Pandemic Influenza is able to spread rapidly through communities. One of the more interesting findings was that it was a sub-clinical illness (i.e. no symptoms) for almost half of those who were affected. For most people their symptoms were mild, however, for many it was a very serious illness requiring an admission to intensive care,” Dr Huang said."
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