Deadly swine flu hits NSW

By Kate Sikora and Sue Dunlevy

April 28, 2009 12:00am

THE deadly swine influenza sweeping the globe has arrived in Australia with five people, all from NSW, undergoing testing.

As the international death toll passes 100, Australia has ordered airport passenger screening for the newly-emerged mutant strain of flu.

At least four Sydneysiders and one Central Coast resident have been quarantined after returning from affected countries with flu symptoms. They have been ordered to remain in their homes while they await the results, unlikely to be known until Friday.

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Two testing laboratories have been set up to deal with swine flu - a mutant strain of human, bird and pig flu - in Westmead and Sydney's southeast.

Australian airports are now on full alert for any passengers travelling from Mexico, US or Canada who appear sick.

But 30 thermal scanners which could help identify sick passengers are idle. The Federal Health Department bought about 30 thermal scanners in 2006 to combat any bird flu epidemic and Japan is employing them to identify potential flu victims crossing its borders.

A Department of Health and Ageing spokeswoman said "the thermal imaging machines are not being deployed at this stage but this is being considered by our medical experts".

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