SYDNEY, July 28 (Xinhua) -- Under new measures introduced on Tuesday, frontline ambulance staff in New South Wales (NSW) must wear face masks for protection against A/H1N1 flu.

    A mask and goggles must be worn by all paramedics, patient transport officers and ambulance volunteers until "respiratory symptoms are excluded from diagnoses of the patient".

    "This new strategy is being put in place as a risk management approach to maximizing staff safety and maintaining service delivery to the community during this current influenza outbreak, "Ambulance Service of NSW chief executive Greg Rochford said.

    "It will also minimize the risk for patients, other staff and family members of the service."

    The service will also find "alternate work locations" for pregnant officers who are deemed to be more vulnerable to the A/H1N1 influenza, Rochford added.

    There have been 3,648 confirmed cases of A/H1N1 flu in NSW but many more cases have gone undetected or untested, according to NSW Health.

    There are currently 40 people undergoing treatment in NSW hospitals with the virus and a total of 17 people have died with A/H1N1 flu in the state.

Special Report:  World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu