Fed: Australia will avoid swine flu problems: Barnett

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2009
Fed: Australia will avoid swine flu problems: Barnett

HOBART, April 30 AAP - Australia will avoid the swine flu problems facing other countries,
Western Australia Premier Colin Barnett says.

"I've got confidence in the quarantine and the health measures in place by the commonwealth
and at state level," Mr Barnett told reporters at the COAG meeting in Hobart.

"Australia is well prepared for this, and I think that everything that possibly can
be done is being done.

"And I'm confident that we will avoid the problems that other countries will experience."

Australia's pandemic preparedness plan in response to the global swine flu outbreak
is already in full swing.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Thursday (AEST) raised its flu alert level to
phase five out of six, signalling that a pandemic was "imminent".

WHO Director General Margaret Chan called on all countries to immediately activate
their pandemic preparedness plans, which had already been done in Australia, federal Health
Minister Nicola Roxon said.

AAP pc/jl

KEYWORD: FLU BARNETT

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