A late outbreak of flu has hit Northland, with several patients admitted to Whangarei Hospital with complications from flu.
People are suffering fever, cough and muscle aches as a late flu outbreak hits Northland. Photo: 123RF
About six patients and six staff in a surgical ward at Whangarei Hospital had also fallen ill with influenza, Northland District Health Board said.
The hospital had grouped the patients together to contain the infection.
The anti-viral drug tamiflu was being used on the ward as a treatment and as a preventative to stop the flu spreading further, clinical microbiologist David Hammer said.
The late start to the flu season was unusual, but the usual flu symptoms of fever, cough and muscle aches were being seen, he said.
People who had not been immunised should get a flu vaccination and people should practise good hand hygiene when visiting hospital patients, Mr Hammer said.
The hospital asked visitors to stay away if they were unwell.