Public Health is no longer swabbing every person suspected to have swine flu as the number of confirmed cases of swine flu in New Zealand continues to rise.
The number of people infected has risen by 87 since yesterday.
There were now 912 confirmed cases but the true figure was certain to be much higher given that every person suspected to have swine flu was no longer being swabbed, Director of Public Health Mark Jacobs said today.
"The latest report from ESR's GP sentinel surveillance system shows the weekly consultation rates for influenza-like illness in New Zealand continue to increase and are already considerably higher than the peaks during the past two years.
"This tells us that there is already a large number of people with influenza-like illnesses this winter, and some, but not all of this will be swine flu."
Dr Jacobs said it was important for people to take extra precautions this winter to protect themselves from the virus.
The Ministry of Health has said most people who contracted swine flu would be able to recover at home, although some people with other health conditions could become critically unwell.
People who were more at risk included pregnant women, people with respiratory disease, heart disease, liver disease or blood disorders.
Wellington appeared to have been worst hit by the virus, with the hospital confirming 15 new cases a day.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) had on Wednesday recorded 70,893 cases in 190 countries, along with 311 deaths.
