Australian H1N1 flu toll climbs to 17

The latest update, # 37, from the World Health Organisation on the influenza A H1N1 (swine flu) outbreak says as of the 23rd of May, 43 countries have now officially reported 12,022 cases, including 86 deaths.

The worse affected countries remain Mexico with 3,892 cases including 75 deaths, the United States with 6,552 cases including 9 deaths, Canada with 719 cases including 1 death, Japan with 321 cases and no deaths, Spain with 126 cases and no deaths and the United Kingdom with 117 cases and no deaths.

However on a daily basis more cases are appearing across the globe with Australia's toll now up to 17 with the confirmation that a Brisbane woman has tested positive to swine flu.

The woman reportedly returned to Brisbane from New York on the weekend and was unwell and health authorities have confirmed that the woman, said to be in her 20s, has tested positive to the virus; four others she was in contact with have been also been placed in quarantine for a week and told to remain at home.

Of Australia's 17 confirmed cases, 11 are in Victoria, 2 in South Australia, 2 in New South Wales and 2 in Queensland.

Three schools in Melbourne have been closed because of the outbreak - Thornbury High School, Clifton Hill Primary School and Mill Park Secondary College - all have had H1N1 virus cases - two others St, Monica's Secondary College Epping and the Australian International Academy in Coburg - also have students quarantined because of swine flu.

The Australian International Academy is the latest victim with the Department of Human Services (DHS) reporting that one student has tested positive for the virus.

The DHS says there is a minimal risk of infection for classmates because the boy was not at school last week but a doctor and nurses are at the school premises to answer parents' queries - the infected boy has been quarantined at home with his parents.

While the school has not been officially closed parents are being advised to consider keeping children at home and to check for symptoms as a precaution.