April 29, 2009

Several Balkan countries have moved to ban pork imports from the Americas following a swine flu outbreak that is likely responsible for more than 150 deaths in Mexico, officials said Tuesday (April 28).

The import ban imposed by Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia mainly targets the Americas after swine flu spread from Mexico to the US and Canada.

In Croatia, the government said besides the pork products ban health officials were ready for any outbreak even though there have so far been no suspected cases in the country.

"Croatia's health system is fully ready to fight a possible appearance of the swine flu outbreak, either isolated cases or in case of an epidemic," Prime Minister Ivo Sanader said.

Health Minister Darko Milinovic said that after the World Health Organization raised its flu pandemic alert level from three to four on Monday, all patients with suspicious symptoms would be isolated while undergoing diagnostic tests.

Similar measures have been taken in Serbia, with its agriculture ministry banning pork or pork products imports "until further notice."

The Serbian health ministry said controls have been established at two of Serbia's airports in the capital Belgrade and the southern town of Nis, while citizens were advised not to travel to countries hit with swine flu.

The government of Montenegro has also banned imports of all animal products from the Americas, as well as from other countries which have confirmed cases of swine flu - though it didn't specify the countries.

Macedonia has also banned pork imports and raised control at its borders, notably at the airports.

Albania said it has taken "necessary measures" to prevent a flu epidemic.

"The authorities are following instructions given by the WHO, while detailed instructions have been given to reinforce control especially at the airports and ports," said Brikena Arapaj of the Health Ministry.

In Kosovo, however, officials have for now decided to monitor the situation.

"We are in consultations with the government as this is a situation where you have to step up vigilance but not take rigorous control measures," said Isme Humolli of the epidemiology department in the National Institute for Public Health.

In Mexico, the epicentre of the outbreak, 152 people were now believed to have died from the virus, while six other countries - the US, Canada, the UK, Spain, Israel, New Zealand - said they had confirmed their first cases.