WARWICK SMITH/STUFF
Influenza has struck Waiouru military camp, cancelling a graduation as one-third of the soldiers involved are sick.
So many recruits at Waiouru Military Camp have been stricken with flu the New Zealand Defence Force has postponed all activities this weekend associated with a recruit regular force graduation.
A Defence Force spokeswoman said 32 of the 87 recruits had been diagnosed with flu-like symptoms and the numbers were expected to increase.
The postponement was described as “unprecedented” in The Army Depot’s history, in an email to people who had been planning to attend the graduation.
The decision was said to have been made on public health and military advice, but the Whanganui and MidCentral District Health Boards’ public health units had no information about the situation.
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The email said the infected personnel had a “particularly bad strain of the virus”, and had been isolated and were getting medical help.
“Other measures are being implemented throughout the camp to ensure that the virus is contained as much as possible.”
The two-week delay of the graduation to the weekend of July 6-7 was expected to give soldiers time to get fit for their next duties, and reduce the likelihood of families and friends becoming ill.
“We apologise for the inconvenience that this will cause, but the health and safety of you and your soldier is paramount.”
MURRAY WILSON/STUFF
The winter influenza season has hit Waiouru hard in the shadow of Mt Ruapehu.
Many of those who had become ill had been vaccinated.
It was not compulsory for personnel to have the flu vaccine, but it is highly encouraged.
Of those who had been vaccinated, 24 had become ill anyway, while 56 vaccinated staff remained in good health.
Of those who were not vaccinated, six were sick and one remained well.
Those recruits who were not showing any symptoms were also being assessed by medical professionals.
The has been an emerging shortage of vaccines throughout New Zealand and the Defence Force email said the local Defence Health Centre was already using reserve stocks.
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