Swine flu could strain US health care system: WHouse

Swine flu's resurgence in the coming months "poses a serious health threat," the White House said Monday, warning the A(H1N1) virus could stretch the US health care system to capacity.

The virus "is likely to infect more people than usual because it is a new strain against which few people have immunity," warned President Barack Obama's science advisors in a report.

"This could mean that doctors' offices and hospitals may get filled to capacity."

The report by the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) said that while the virus is "unlikely to resemble the deadly flu pandemic of 1918-19," the current strain still "poses a serious health threat."

According to the latest official US figures, the 2009 swine flu strain has already killed 522 people in the United States and hospitalized almost 8,000 people since it emerged in Mexico at the end of April.

The group recommended accelerating preparation of flu vaccines for distribution to high-risk individuals and clarifying guidelines for the use of antiviral medicines.

Advisors also called on the public to stay informed on A(H1N1)'s expected spread as the northern hemisphere's regular flu returns with the colder months.

These efforts involve using of social networking sites on the Internet to propagate health messages and an "intensive public education" campaign to promote awareness to the threat.

The White House also needs to create a post that has "primary authority to coordinate key decisions" for fighting the pandemic, the report said.

Among other recommendations are for workplaces to "liberalize rules for absenteeism" so employees are not pressured to come to work when they feel sick.

Overall, the PCAST gave the administration positive reviews for its preparation.

"The Federal Government's response has been truly impressive and we've all been pleased to see the high level of cooperation among the many departments and agencies that are gearing up for the expected fall resurgence of H1N1 flu," said PCAST co-chair Harold Varmus.

"This virus has pulled us all together in common cause," said another PCAST co-chair, Eric Lander. "The preparations are the best ever for an influenza pandemic," he said.

Over 20 pharmaceutical companies around the world are racing to test, produce and distribute more than a billion doses of the vaccines in anticipation of the second wave of infection.

A(H1N1) has created a health crisis in Latin America throughout the southern continent's winter months, causing more than 1,300 deaths, according to an AFP tally of individual government tolls.