Source: AFP

The US Defense Department said on Monday it was closely following the outbreak of swine flu but had no immediate plans to release anti-viral drugs from its stockpiles.

"The US military is monitoring the situation closely," Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

Asked if the military would begin distributing anti-viral medicine such as Tamiflu and Relenza from its stockpiles, Whitman said: "I know of no plans to do so that at this point."

He said the Pentagon's priority was to protect the health of military personnel and had contingency plans in place to address such an emergency.

The Defense Department was "monitoring the health of the force to make sure we're taking the necessary precautions to be able to preserve the fighting force," he said.