Health officials are warning pregnant women to be extra careful in the midst of the current swine flu pandemic after three pregnant patients in New South Wales are in intensive care after contracting the novel H1N1 influenza virus.
Dr. Jeremy McAnulty from NSW Health says the outbreak may seem alarming, but is within the range of what was expected by health experts but expectant mothers are urged to take extra care and see a doctor immediately if they develop flu symptoms.
Apparently two other mothers with swine flu have given birth prematurely and one remains in intensive care.
Dr. McAnulty says there is a lack of immunity in the community to this particular strain of influenza which is why more people are affected - he says the outbreak is expected to continue throughout winter and is yet to peak.
Health experts advise those who are sick to stay at home, and carry out good hygiene practices particularly in public spaces - this involves washing hands regularly and discarding tissues in a bin after wiping or blowing the nose or sneezing.
As it now seems that it will be months before a vaccine becomes available such simple measures to protect against the virus are even more important.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said the swine flu pandemic is "unstoppable" and immunisations would not be available for months.
Director General of WHO Dr. Margaret Chan has said despite media reports to the contrary, a vaccine would not be available for several months.
Dr. Chan says having a vaccine available is not the same as having a vaccine that has proven safe, and clinical trial data will not be available for another two to three months.
WHO director of vaccine research Marie-Paul Kieny had said that a swine flu vaccine should be available as early as September.