Swine flu pandemic unstoppable: experts

Australia's swine flu-related death toll has climbed to 20 as authorities ordered 21
million doses of a vaccine not expected to be ready until October.
Health experts warn that infection rates will climb and extend beyond winter months
with the World Health Organisation (WHO) labelling the pandemic "unstoppable".
A 55-year-old man with underlying medical conditions who died in St George Hospital
in southern Sydney on Saturday had tested positive to the disease, NSW health
authorities said on Tuesday.
More than 90,000 swine flu cases have been reported worldwide, including 429 deaths,
the most recent WHO numbers from last week show.
WHO says a vaccine for the A(H1N1) virus should be available as early as September
but Australian health authorities expect the rollout in October after initial
testing.
Australia's chief medical officer Jim Bishop said the nation's health authorities
had ordered 21 million doses of the vaccine.
The move coincides with reports that at least six young people suffering from swine
flu in a Sydney hospital are on cardiac bypass machines.
"There's good evidence from overseas and emerging in Australia that some fit,
healthy young people who contract the disease can deteriorate rapidly with
respiratory difficulty, and if this happens then they should seek urgent medical
attention," Professor Bishop said.
NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant said a total of 382 people have been
hospitalised in the state and 32 have been admitted to intensive care units.
Many suffer from underlying health conditions, such as obesity but
previously-healthy individuals have also been admitted.
"We have seen a small number of cases where people are requiring intensive care unit
admission without underlying conditions," Dr Chant said.
"It's been a busy time for hospitals.
"Plus some of our staff have been struck by influenza-like illnesses themselves and
obviously their friends and families have been impacted."
She dismissed suggestions that up to 50 per cent of staff in some hospitals have
been struck down with a flu virus.
The figures would be between 10 and 20 per cent, Dr Chant said, which would reflect
infection rates among the general community.
However, she did warn that the worst is far from over.
"But we expect progressively over the next four weeks that the disease will spread
across the (Sydney) metropolitan area," she said.
Victoria has reported that 90 per cent of its influenza cases are swine flu and NSW
may be heading in that direction.
"In relation to NSW, it's currently sitting at around 60 per cent, and it will be
interesting for us whether we follow the path of Victoria," Dr Chant said.
"I would anticipate that it would gradually creep up."
Dr Chant also warned that infection is expected to extend beyond the winter months.
"In the northern hemisphere, human swine influenza is continuing to spread out of
season," she said.
"Even coming out of winter we will have a significant proportion of the population
who can benefit from immunisation."