Fed: Top doc tells Aussies not to panic about swine flu
26 Apr 2009 5:48 PM
Australia's top doctor has urged people to be vigilant but not alarmed at news a deadly swine-flu outbreak in Mexico could have reached our doorstep.
The World Health Organisation says the new flu .. believed to have killed 81 people in Mexico and infected 10 in the US .. has pandemic potential.
A New Zealand school group has been quarantined after returning from Mexico City with flu-like symptoms.
The federal government's come under fire from the Australian Greens for being too slow to respond after learning of the situation yesterday.
But chief medical officer JIM BISHOP says emergency departments were alerted late yesterday .. and GPs were notified today.
Professor BISHOP says Australia has a good surveillance system .. and they're not worried at this stage.
The health protection committee .. of which Professor BISHOP is a part .. is liaising with the WHO as well as health authorities in New Zealand and the US.
The latest information on Australia's response to swine flu will be posted on the internet at www.health.gov.au.
