Swine flu hinders productivity

As swine flu rapidly spreads across the country, NSW businesses are claiming it is responsible for atleast 40 percent of all sick leave taken in New South Wales, hindering productivity.

The NSW Health Department believes swine flu is now responsible for 50 to 60 percent of the state’s influenza cases, while the NSW Business Chamber said swine flu is expected to cost NSW businesses nearly $1 billion.

This comes as the state’s chief health officer, Dr Dr Kerry Chant, says swine flu has now eclipsed seasonal influenza as the dominant strain of the virus this winter.

Productivity levels are expected to drop as more staff take sick leave and take longer to recover from the virus.