May 7, 2009

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary on Wednesday (May 6) told the health ministry to prepare for a possible upgrade of the World Health Organisation's pandemic alert for Type A/H1N1 flu to the highest level of six, Kyodo News reported.

"If the phase is upgraded to six, Japan has to do everything it can do. Japan's crisis management will be put to the test," Takeo Kawamura said at a meeting with health, labour and welfare minister Yoichi Masuzoe, according to Kyodo.

Kawamura also urged the ministry to keep taking all measures to prevent the virus from entering Japan, such as carrying out health checks on passengers at airports, Kyodo said.

He added that should the WHO pandemic alert be raised, the government plans to hold a meeting of its flu task force led by Prime Minister Taro Aso, according to Kyodo. Japan hasn't yet reported a case of the H1N1 virus within its borders.

The World Health Organisation said Wednesday there were 1,516 case of A/H1N1 flu in 22 countries as of 0600 GMT.

Mexico has reported 822 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 29 deaths. The US has reported 403 laboratory confirmed human cases, including one death, the WHO said.

The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria, Canada, China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and the UK.