The Health Department this morning appealed to all those suspecting Swine Flu not to go to hospital emergency departments or clinics but to stay at home and call a doctor.
All those having symptoms of the virus may also phone on the help line 2132 4086.
A spokesman for the Health Department said a large number of people went to the Mater Dei Hospital Emergency Department overnight asking to be tested for Swine Flu. The spokesman explained that this disrupted the operations of the department and increased the potential of the spread of the virus, should any person be infected. Furthermore, Swine Flu tests were not carried out there.
Meanwhile, all 16 persons confirmed so far to have H1N1 are in quarantine and recovering well.
Details on symptoms and measures to stop the spread of the virus can be found on the following link:
http://www.health.gov.mt/dsu/Influenza%20A(H1N1)/swine_broch.pdf