UPDATE 12.50pm: TWO more Tasmanians are feared to have human swine flu, after tests confirmed they have Influenza A.
A North West person has joined a Northern Tasmanian woman on the nervous wait for results today.
SWINE FLU HOTLINE: 1800 358 362 (1800 FLU DOC)
The North West person is confirmed to have been on the same plane as a 62-year-old North-West woman -- a Pacific Dawn passenger -- who became Tasmania's first to test positive to the H1N1 virus last Friday.
The World Health Organisation lab in Melbourne is struggling to deal with an inundation of tests, but authorities are hopeful at least one of the swine flu test results will be delivered today.
Acting Director of Public Health Dr Chrissie Pickin advised school principals to exclude children from school for seven days after arriving home if they have travelled to Mexico, USA, Canada, Japan or Panama.
Anyone suffering flu-like symptoms: fever, cough, sore throat, blocked or runny nose; within a week of travel to the above mentioned countries is advised to phone 1800 358 362 (1800 FLU DOC) without delay and before going to a hospital, pharmacy or GP.
Authorities fear as many as 6000 Tasmanians could be forced into hospital with swine flu over the next few months, and if a full break out occurs the number of Tasmanians directly affected could climb to 100,000.
The Department of Health and Human Services updated swine flu figures:
Confirmed: 1, North-West
Influenza A: 1, North; 1, North West
Suspect: 1, North-West
Excluded: 40
