Chile officially declared state of sanitary emergency as swine flu cases raised again in the last hours, with 3125 confirmed, three deaths and many blood samples still undergoing laboratory expertise.

The decree, which was published today in the official gazette, gives extraordinary powers to Chilean health services. The decree establishes that the H1N1 A virus is now officially "an epidemic" and that for such reason, it is "essential to give Health Ministry extraordinary powers."

The Ministry will, for example, be able to contract emergency medical personnel or move forces from a medical institution to another, as well as acquire goods, services or equipment which would be necessary to face the epidemic, without waiting for the government's approval.

All suspicious or dubious cases will be signaled and doctors are be authorized to maintain someone in quarantine in case the person was in contact with someone who is infected. Antiviral medication will be given out for free for everyone who might need it.

3125 cases have been confirmed in Chile and three were lethal. Most of the people who contracted the disease in Chile were between 5 and 19 years old.