Schools are being advised by the Ministry of Health that they may have to close when the swine flu virus spreads into the community.
In Australia, eight schools are closed in Victoria and South Australia with more than 200 people confirmed as having the virus.
Public health director Dr Mark Jacobs, says while efforts to contain the swine flu virus continue to be successful, it's only a matter of time before it spreads into the community.
He says he's writing to schools to prepare them for this.
If cases are confirmed in schools, he says it's likely the ministry would want them to close for a time.
