Swine flu reported in Philippines refugee camps

Last Updated: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 10:31:00 +1000

The World Health Organisation says some cases of swine flu are being reported among displaced people in Philippines Mindanao Island.

Around 400-thousand people have been displaced by flooding and conflict between the Philippines government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

A W-H-O spokesman could not specify the number of H-1-N-1 infections in the region, but said there were several.

The W-H-O says it is concerned the health services in the camps are under-staffed and poorly supplied, which could lead to futher spread of the virus.

The U-N health agency has appealed for almost one million U-S dollars in a bid to improve the facilities and medication available to those fleeing the conflict.

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