Obama declares swine flu a national emergency



President Barack Obama has declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency

President Barack Obama has declared the swine flu outbreak a national emergency, the White House said today

Obama signed a proclamation that would allow medical officials to bypass certain federal requirements.



'The proclamation enhances the ability of our nation's medical treatment facilities to handle a surge in H1N1 patients by allowing, as needed, the waiver of certain standard federal requirements on a case-by-case basis,' a statement said.



Officials described the move as similar to a declaration ahead of a hurricane making landfall.



Swine flu is more widespread now than it's ever been and has resulted in more than 1,000 U.S. deaths so far.



Health authorities say almost 100 children have died from the flu, known as H1N1, and 46 states now have widespread flu activity.



The White House said Obama signed the declaration on Friday evening.







