As the number of swine flu cases in New Zealand remains stable, updating of pandemic planning continues in Otago and the district health board is yet to count the cost of its response to the outbreak.
The incident controller for both the Otago and Southland boards, Leanne Samuel, said "quite a bit of work [was still] going on" in connection with the influenza A (H1N1) virus.
This included continuing to monitor international flights and taking direction from the Ministry of Health on upgrading planning.
Part of such planning concentrated on what would be needed if the boards had to set up community-based assessment centres to provide relief and support for medical centres and hospitals. Hospital plans for managing a major infectious event also had to be refined.
Since work was continuing, the cost of it had not yet been tallied, but that would be done later and reported to the boards.
The outbreak response had been appropriate given the serious nature of the event and the public health system should " pat itself on the back" because its quick actions had been able to prevent widespread person-to-person infection.
The situation still had to be taken seriously and New Zealand authorities would be watching the situation in Japan closely, Ms Samuel said.
The Ministry of Health reported yesterday the number of cases of swine flu remained the same as the previous day.
The total of known past infections remained at nine, with all cases fully recovered.
The total of probable cases remained at 10, with all cases fully recovered.
There were currently 38 suspected cases - up from 37 yesterday.
While the number of cases in New Zealand remained stable, the National Health Co-ordination Centre was working with the health sector and wider government agencies to make sure New Zealand was well prepared in case the situation worsened, deputy director of public health Fran McGrath said.
