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The World Health Organisation (WHO) has urged travellers to continue travelling, despite warnings from the European Union about visiting places affected by swine flu.

“WHO did not recommend any travel restrictions, we need to be very clear on that,” Gregory Hartl, the organisation’s spokesman in Geneva, has told news.com.au.

They report that:

[Australia's] Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has also refused to issue a travel warning for Mexico, but says anyone who travels there should see a doctor immediately if they develop flu-like symptoms.

The US has declared a national health emergency amid a rapid spread of the flu which has killed 149 people and infected a suspected total of 1600. At least 40 cases have now been confirmed in the U.S, six in Canada, two in Scotland and one in Spain.

Many airlines are waiving usual penalties for changing reservations for anyone travelling to, from, or through Mexico.

All pilots flying to Australia from affected countries have been ordered to screen passengers and report suspect cases to quarantine officers.

Five passengers who were detained with flu symptoms aboard a flight from Los Angeles to Brisbane have been cleared.

In New South Wales, five patients with symptoms consistent with the flu are being kept in isolation after being tested for the swine flu strain, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Four are from Sydney and one from the Central Coast. Results will not be known until the end of the week. The five were tested after 17 people presented to hospitals yesterday with possible symptoms. The five people, including children, will need further tests to see if they have swine flu.

“There are many types of flu strains, just in the course of the flu season, and we need to go through the process to rule out what it might be.”

Screening of airline passengers travelling to Australia from the Americas came into effect at midnight. A Brisbane Airport Corporation spokesman said he expected to see an increase in the number of international travellers wearing protective face masks – supplied by airlines – although it was not mandatory.