24 Aug 2009

French health experts head to Pacific territories to help with swine flu

10:27 am on 24 August 2009

France has decided to send 20 health experts to French Polynesia and New Caledonia in response to the rapid spread of swine flu outbreak which has claimed six lives in the past week.

Paris says the two territories are struggling with the number of patients.

The authorities in Tahiti announced over the weekend that three people died, saying that 10,000 people in the archipelago have now contracted the H1N1 virus.

The highest concentration has been reported in the southernmost island, Rapa.

While several schools have been closed until further notice, the authorities say no further measure are being planned.

In New Caledonia, three people have died of swine flu.