US President Barack Obama has declared swine flu a national emergency.
The White House said the president signed the proclamation concerning the 2009 H1N1 outbreak on Friday evening.
It increases the ability of treatment facilities to handle a surge in H1N1 patients by easing the implementation of emergency plans.
Last week US officials said swine flu activity was widespread in 46 states. More than 1,000 US deaths have been linked to the virus.
Health officials say the infections are already comparable to peak season flu levels.
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