Fed: Rudd govt too slow in response to pig-flu pandemic threat: Greens
By Melissa Jenkins26 Apr 2009 1:33 PM
CANBERRA, April 26 AAP - The federal government has been too slow in responding to the swine-flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States, which has the potential to spiral into a pandemic, the Greens say.
A new flu feared to have killed up to 81 people in Mexico has "pandemic potential", the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned on Sunday, as concerns grow of the virus spreading in the US and worldwide.
The Australian health department on Sunday warned travellers recently returned from Mexico to see a doctor if they have flu-like symptoms.
Officials, including chief medical officer Jim Bishop are currently in talks to determine the nation's response to the threat.
Australian Greens leader Bob Brown says the government knew of the threat on Saturday but only issued a health alert on Sunday morning.
"It should have been on the front foot on this yesterday," he told AAP.
"I don't know how much earlier they knew about it but they certainly did know yesterday.
"Every day in dealing with a pandemic is absolutely crucial."
