TORONTO -

The World Health Organization says at this point most swine flu patients don't need antiviral drugs or hospitalization.

Dr. Nikki Shindo, a WHO flu expert, says the Geneva-based agency is developing advice for medical professionals treating swine flu patients.

She says physicians should consider use of fever-lowering drugs when needed.

But Shindo says WHO has heard from Canada that some patients didn't even have fever, which suggests very mild infection.

She says European countries have been using antiviral drugs like Tamiflu aggressively, but Mexico and the United States are saving the drugs for more severe patients.

The WHO says as of today there are 5,251 laboratory confirmed cases in 30 countries.