26 April,2009 10:28 AM IST | | AP
Asian health authorities were on alert on Sunday, with some checking passengers and pork products from Mexico, as the World Health Organisation declared the deadly swine flu outbreak a public health emergency of 'pandemic potential'.
Japan's biggest international airport stepped up health surveillance, while the Philippines said it may quarantine passengers with fevers who have been to Mexico.
Health authorities in Thailand and Hong Kong said they were closely monitoring the situation.
China said anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms within two weeks of arriving in the country from swine-flu affected territories was required to report to authorities.
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Malaysia and other Asian nations said they were awaiting further advice from WHO, whose Director-General Margaret Chan said on Saturday the North American outbreak of a never-before-seen virus was a very serious situation with 'pandemic potential'.
At least 81 people have died from severe pneumonia caused by a flu-like illness in Mexico, according to WHO. Some of those who died are confirmed to have a unique version of the A/H1N1 flu virus that is a combination of bird, pig and human viruses.
