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Swine flu forces Mauritius schools to close

PORT LOUIS (Reuters) - Mauritius closed all schools on Thursday until the end of the month after the official number of swine flu cases on the Indian Ocean island reached at least 40.
Five people who contracted the H1N1 virus on the popular tourist island have died. Officials say they did not die as a direct result of the virus.

"The government decided to close schools from tomorrow until Aug 31 when classes will begin again," said a statement from Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam's office.

The government said it was taking the step after school absenteeism increased to 51 percent on Thursday from 31.6 percent at the outset of the pandemic, the statement said.

All schools in Mauritius -- best known for its white sands and luxury spas -- will be disinfected.

Reuters

Too few intensive care beds for swine flu

The NHS may not have enough intensive care beds to cope if a second wave of swine flu hits the country, the Conservative party claimed today.

Hospitals are already at "breaking point" and are having to close critical care beds to new admissions for large parts of the year, according to the shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley.

Guardian

US Health workers under pressure to get flu shots

ALBANY, N.Y. – Tens of thousands of health care workers who typically avoid flu shots are under more pressure than ever to get vaccinated as hospitals and clinics prepare for a spike in swine flu cases this fall and winter.

Roughly half of health workers skip the immunizations, raising two concerns: If doctors and nurses get sick, who will treat what could be millions of Americans reeling from seasonal or swine flu? And could infected health workers make things worse by spreading flu to patients?

New York, the first state to be hard-hit by swine flu, is requiring all health workers to get immunized against both types of flu. Other states are weighing whether to follow suit.

AP

UK 'close' to winning flu fight

BBC

Swine flu victim speaks of ordeal

BBC

Pig herd catches human swine flu

BBC