15 Jun 2009

PNG medical authorities issue warning over swine flu spread

3:12 pm on 15 June 2009

Medical authorities in Papua New Guinea warn that hospitals in the country aren't equipped to handle a swine flu outbreak.

The virus is spreading fast in neighbouring Australia and PNG quarantined seven people returning from Australia amid suspicion that they may have the virus.

The Post Courier reports that the country has set up a special health task force to deal with swine flu and it has made a submission to government asking it to declare a state of emergency.

The World Health Organisation says PNG has 17,000 Tamil flu treatment courses, and another 45,000 stocks of drugs are on the way.

All provinces are to be given 30 each of the anti-viral drug.

PNG has also stepped up surveillance at all international ports of entry.