Fed: 70 Aussies suspected of having swine flu: health department

AAP General News (Australia)
04-28-2009
Fed: 70 Aussies suspected of having swine flu: health department

Seventy Australians are suspected of having swine flu .. although the virus is showing
signs of abating in Mexico where it's believed to have claimed 152 lives.

There are no confirmed cases of the virus in Australia.

The World Health Organisation's upgraded its pandemic threat level to four .. which
is two steps short of declaring a full-blown pandemic.

A phase four alert means human-to-human transmission is causing outbreaks in at least
one country.

Australia has not elevated its response since the WHO announcement.

Health Minister NICOLA ROXON's told ABC Radio it's concerning that we're now at the
next phase .. but new border measures have been introduced at the country's airports.

Airlines servicing Australia from the Americas are now required to report any passengers
with flu-like symptoms before being cleared to land at local airports.







A spokesman for the health department's told AAP 70 people across the country are being
tested for swine flu. (as at 1750 (AEST) today)

AAP RTV mj/af

KEYWORD: FLU AUST (CANBERRA)

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