The National Rugby League has described the swine flu as a ''moving feast'' after being forced to pull two players from a match and quarantine all those involved in last week's State of Origin opener.
Gold Coast backrower Ashley Harrison and St George Illawarra's Darius Boyd were sensationally forced to withdraw from last night's NRL clash at Skilled Park on the Gold Coast after Maroons teammate Ben Hannant was struck down with the virus.
Hannant's Queensland Origin teammates were all put into quarantine yesterday, with NSW players cleared after it was confirmed Blues trainer Tony Ayoub did not have the virus.
Results of swabs taken from quarantined players over the next few days will be crucial in determining how serious a threat the A(H1N1) virus poses.
NRL chief operating officer Graham Annesley indicated the league would continue to be guided by health authorities in relation to this weekend's round of fixtures.
''This whole thing is a moving feast, obviously; it has been for quite some time,'' Mr Annesley said.
''... We are in the hands of the health authorities, both NSW and Queensland and in any other state that we play.''
Victoria insists it is safe to visit despite the state's swine flu caseload soaring past 1000 and the quarantining of Origin players after playing in Melbourne last week.
The national swine flu tally stood at 1207 last night, with 1011 of the cases in Victoria.
The ACT had a total of 10 and NSW added seven new cases yesterday to reach a total of 89 positive tests.
Queensland had 49 confirmed cases, including Hannant, according to Federal Government figures. However, the state's Health Department said the count had risen to 53.
There are 20 confirmed swine flu cases in Western Australia, 13 in South Australia, nine in Tasmania, and six in the Northern Territory.
Victoria's acting chief health officer Rosemary Lester said there were now 1011 cases of the A(H1N1) virus in Victoria, with 137 cases confirmed at the weekend.
She insisted the state's response to the virus was proportionate to the risk it posed to the community. ''These latest confirmed cases relate to tests done before Victoria moved to a modified sustain phase in response to the virus,'' she said.
''Extensive testing for human swine flu is no longer required, as people meeting the agreed clinical case definition, exhibiting flu-like symptoms, are recommended to be given anti-viral medication in consultation with their doctor.''
People confirmed with the virus will continue to be treated, but resources will be focused on high-risk areas and patients, such as aged-care homes.
Dr Lester insisted the virus continued to be relatively mild in its impact. Earlier in the day, Environment Minister Gavin Jennings defended Victoria's management of the virus.
Singapore has warned its citizens to stay away from Victoria if they travel to Australia.
Mr Jennings said countries that assessed the threat in a mature way would have no reason to discourage travel to Victoria. ''I think Singapore is not acting, at this moment, on the basis of the best public health advice. It may be premature advice. There are no reasons on public health grounds why anybody should not come to Victoria, should not come to Australia.'' AAP
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