NSW rugby league fans travelling to Melbourne to cheer on the Blues in the
first State of Origin match are being warned about the risks of catching swine flu.
Victoria, which has recorded 306 confirmed cases of swine flu, will host the first match of the series between NSW and Queensland at Etihad Stadium.
NSW Health Minister John Della Bosca said fans should still travel south for the match, but needed to be aware that cases of community transmission were occurring in Melbourne.
VIDEO: NSW Health swine flu update
"If I had a ticket to go to the State of Origin ... I certainly would be going,'' Mr Della Bosca said.
"The advice is very clear ... there are simple, sensible things people should do, take precautions, when they're going travelling in Victoria.''
NSW Health says these include hand washing, covering your mouth when coughing and disposing of tissues hygienically.
Swine flu facts: the virus, the symptoms, the treatment Swine flu clinic set up in Wollongong There are presently 69 confirmed cases of human swine flu in NSW, according to NSW Health officials.
Of those, 54 were from last week's Pacific Dawn cruise ship and 14 related to people who had been overseas.
The other case was acquired by a person travelling in Melbourne.
A total of 198 people are being tested for the illness in NSW, NSW Health says.
Email a friend