Fed: New quarantine powers enacted to manage swine flu

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2009
Fed: New quarantine powers enacted to manage swine flu

Governor-General QUENTIN BRYCE has consented to sweeping new quarantine powers for
health officials .. in response to the global outbreak of swine flu.

Health Minister NICOLA ROXON approached Ms BRYCE last night to approve the powers ..

which include allowing authorities to detain people suspected of having the potentially
deadly virus.

The minister's told ABC radio the measures range from usng disinfectants on planes
or at ports .. through to the far more extreme powers to make sure people are isolated
and even detained if they don't cooperate .. and are showing symptoms.

Ms ROXON's stressed they're only precautionary measures and won't necessarily be used.

There are 111 possible swine flu cases being investigated in Australia .. including
22 locals who were on the same flight as three New Zealand students now confirmed as being
infected.

The remaining 89 .. a third of them from Queensland .. are showing flu-like symptoms
and are being tested and results are expected in the next 48 hours.

AAP RTV bsb/rt

KEYWORD: FLU AUST ROXON (CANBERRA)

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