Five new Australian cases of swine flu confirmed

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25514124-5001021,00.html

FIVE new Australian swine flu cases were confirmed yesterday as the deadly virus officially arrived in NSW.

Last night the Federal Government said Australia was "well placed to deal with any outbreak" as the confirmed cases rose to three.

A Sydney mother and a young child who had recently flown in from the US were yesterday revealed as the latest victims, while a female travelling companion was cleared.

NSW Health revealed last night the young NSW child tested positive to the virus but was not infectious during the flight.

The 28-year-old Sydney mother had been travelling in Indiana with her baby but NSW Health would not confirm if her child was the one infected due to "confidentiality".

"The child had a mild illness, not typical for influenza, while travelling in the USA and testing was undertaken as a precaution," NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said.

As a precaution, six people on the same flight were given Tamiflu and placed under quarantine yesterday.

These confirmed cases come as it emerged three brothers ages 9, 10 and 12, from Victoria, had been diagnosed after a trip to Disneyland last week.

Australia's first case of swine flu was a NSW woman who flew into Brisbane from Los Angeles on May 7.

The Sydney group returned from the US on May 13. One of them had been treated for swine flu, also known as H1N1, while in the US.

But Australian officials were not alerted to the possible danger until Tuesday night - six days later - when the woman phoned NSW Health confirming her test results from the US were positive.

Last night Health Minister Nicola Roxon said there was no need to raise the alert level.

"There's no cause for alarm. I need to reiterate to the community that we are very well placed to deal with any outbreak of swine flu," she said.

Worldwide there have been more than 9000 cases and 76 deaths.

In Victoria, classmates of the infected boys have been given Tamiflu.

The family returned from LA on May 12 and the 9-year-old began showing symptoms on Monday. It was only revealed last night his brothers also tested positive.

Anyone with concerns can call the swine influenza hotline 180 2007

isnt it sad how many ppl have died just from this 'flu'