A/H1N1 flu declared as national emergency in U.S.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama has declared the fast-spreading A/H1N1 flu a "national emergency," the White House said on Saturday.

A government sponsored poster warning of the spread of the flu is posted in an office building in New York.(AFP/Getty Images/Mario Tama)

The White House said in a statement that the president signed a proclamation Friday night to make the declaration, saying it makes it easier for healthcare providers to "handle a surge in H1N1 patients."

NATIONAL EMERGENCY

"In keeping with the administration's proactive approach to H1N1 Flu, President Obama last night signed a proclamation declaring 2009-H1N1 Influenza a national emergency. 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," it said.

"The foundation of our national approach to the H1N1 flu has been preparedness at all levels -- personal, business, and government -- and this proclamation helps that effort by advancing our overall response capability," the statement said.

In a separate statement sent to the Congress reporting the move, Obama said "the rapid increase in illness across the Nation may overburden health care resources and that the temporary waiver of certain standard Federal requirements may be warranted in order to enable U.S. health care facilities to implement emergency operations plans."

The proclamation signed by Obama would make it easier for U.S. medical facilities to handle a surge in flu patients by allowing the waiver of some requirements of Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health insurance programs as needed, the White House said.