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Australia flu 'may tip pandemic' Australia flu 'may tip pandemic'
(about 2 hours later)
The World Health Organization has said that a sharp increase in swine flu cases in Australia may push it to finally announce a flu pandemic. A sharp increase in swine flu cases in Australia may mean the infection has become a pandemic, the World Health Organization says.
It would be the first such pandemic announced in four decades. For that to happen, officials would have to verify that the disease had become established outside North America, where the crisis began.
More than 1,200 people have contracted the virus in Australia, a four-fold increase in a week. "Once I get indisputable evidence, I will make the announcement," said WHO director general, Margaret Chan.
More than 1,200 people have contracted the virus in Australia - none fatally.
The total means Australia has seen a four-fold increase in a week.
Less than a month ago Australia had only a handful of cases of the H1N1 virus but it now has the highest number of infections outside North America.Less than a month ago Australia had only a handful of cases of the H1N1 virus but it now has the highest number of infections outside North America.
Victoria and the state capital, Melbourne, are the worst-hit with more than 1,000 confirmed cases, although most of those affected are suffering only a mild illness.Victoria and the state capital, Melbourne, are the worst-hit with more than 1,000 confirmed cases, although most of those affected are suffering only a mild illness.
There have been no swine flu fatalities in Australia. But the Queensland Health Minister, Paul Lucas, has warned it was inevitable the contagious respiratory condition would claim lives.
But the Queensland Health Minister Paul Lucas has warned it was inevitable the contagious respiratory condition would claim lives.
Going global?Going global?
The rapid spread of swine flu in Australia could force the World Health Organisation to declare a pandemic, meaning the outbreak had gone global.
The media must play a part here, emphasising the facts about this virus and not over-reacting Fergus WalshBBC medical correspondent Read more from FergusThe media must play a part here, emphasising the facts about this virus and not over-reacting Fergus WalshBBC medical correspondent Read more from Fergus
For that to happen, officials would have to verify that the disease had become established outside North America, where the crisis began. Following the major outbreaks in North America the flu alert is currently at phase five of a six-level scale.
The virus has infected more than 26,500 people in 73 countries, the WHO said on Tuesday.
The BBC's medical correspondent Fergus Walsh says it is true that the word "pandemic" sounds scary. But it simply means a global epidemic of an infectious disease.
He says it is not a signal that the virus is getting more virulent; it has nothing to do with severity; rather, it is a measure of geographical spread.
As the number of H1N1 cases in Australia passes 1,200, Singapore has urged its citizens to avoid travel to Victoria.As the number of H1N1 cases in Australia passes 1,200, Singapore has urged its citizens to avoid travel to Victoria.
Authorities in New South Wales and South Australia, as well as the national capital, Canberra, have told children who have recently travelled to Melbourne to stay away from school for a week on their return home.Authorities in New South Wales and South Australia, as well as the national capital, Canberra, have told children who have recently travelled to Melbourne to stay away from school for a week on their return home.
The entire squad and staff of the Brisbane Broncos rugby league club have been put into quarantine as tests are carried out on a player suspected of contracting swine flu.The entire squad and staff of the Brisbane Broncos rugby league club have been put into quarantine as tests are carried out on a player suspected of contracting swine flu.
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