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Santa promised children on Tuesday he would travel around the world to bring them Christmas presents despite the global swine flu pandemic.
"I swear that Christmas will not be cancelled this year," Father Christmas told Finnish national broadcaster YLE, explaining that many children were worried he would catch swine flu.
Santa told the world's children he would definitely see them at Christmas and added neither he nor the elves would fall ill thanks to his wife's good care.
"Take care of yourself. But if you have caught swine flu, take it easy and follow the advice given by your father, mother and doctors," Santa said.
According to Finnish legend, Santa Claus lives in a cabin atop the Korvatunturi mountain in Finnish Lapland.
