New Zealand's swine flu virus appears to have struck a quiet period as official statistics show the number of people visiting their GP tapering off.
The number of confirmed swine flu cases today was unchanged from yesterday, at 2935, the Ministry of Health said.
The number of deaths attributed to swine flu was also unchanged at 14, with the last reported death being that of a man in his 50s in Christchurch in the last week of July.
There were no anecdotal reports of more deaths coming through, the ministry's sentinel GP surveillance sites reported a little less activity and hospitals did not seem to be quite as busy, said deputy director of public health Darren Hunt.
"Generally speaking, over the last week or two we are seeing a bit of a drop off in primary care.
"Obviously we are going to hope that continues but it's a bit early to tell whether that's going to be a temporary lull."
Dr Hunt said it appeared the South Island was having more activity than the North Island, and overall the country appeared to be about two or three weeks behind Victoria in Australia, which had experienced a quieter period as well.
However, the situation was complicated by the fact August was usually the peak for the regular seasonal flu.
