Three people from the South Coast are being tested for swine flu, it has been revealed.
The patients have all presented with flu-like symptoms and are undergoing tests for the the virus, which has crippled parts of Mexico where the initial outbreak occurred.
NSW Health Minister John Della Bosca said there were 51 people across NSW who were suspected of having swine flu, however that figure was changing by the hour.
VIDEO: Swine flu ad from 1976 becomes YouTube hit Swine flu facts: the virus, symptoms and treatment Plan to treat Wollongong swine flu patients away from hospitalOf those cases, 15 were within the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service (SESIAHS).
The Mercury understands three of those patients are from the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
SESIAHS public health director Professor Mark Ferson said swabs from the 15 suspected cases had been forwarded to one of NSW's two major testing labs, located at Randwick and Westmead.
From there they could be sent to the World Health Organisation influenza centre at Melbourne for final tests.
Mr Della Bosca said another 31 people in NSW had been tested and all had been cleared.
"I am taking these additional suspected cases very seriously. This afternoon I will be meeting with the NSW Governor to put into affect changes to the Public Health Act to further protect the community," he said.
The regulatory changes, which are in line with federal moves to amend the Quarantine Act last night, would add swine flu to the diseases listed in the Public Health Act.
It would mean all health professionals would have to notify a public health unit if they saw a patient who was suspected of having swine flu.
It would also increase the powers of the Chief Health Officer, who would have the ability to detain an infected person if it was thought they were putting others at risk.
Mr Della Bosca said the regulatory changes were purely precautionary, and that no actual cases of swine flu had been recorded in Australia.
NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant those who had recently returned from overseas holidays, particularly to the US, Canada and Mexico, should consult their doctor if they developed any symptoms.
"Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough and fatigue, who has returned overseas within the past seven days should contact their local public health unit, GP or emergency department," Dr Chant said.
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