BEIJING, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Countries around the world are tightening precautionary and preventive measures against the threat of the A/H1N1 influenza, previously reported as "swine flu," as the deadly virus is rapidly spreading across the globe.
Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak, is still keeping a close eye on the situation and is maintaining strict safety measures. During the current five-day holiday which began on Friday, all nonessential government and private business have been shut down.
The government has also set up a hotline to offer advice related to the outbreak and a number of ambulatory medical stations have been deployed to offer treatment to people possibly stricken with the virus.
Meanwhile, other Latin American countries, Cuba, Argentina, Peru and Ecuador have issued bans on air travel to Mexico.
South Korea is enhancing its efforts by restricting travel to Mexico and tightening quarantine inspections of pork imported from affected countries.
The South Korean government on Monday stepped up screening of passengers arriving from Mexico, according to local media reports.
Passengers arriving at the airport will have to go through an infrared camera capable of sensing body temperature. Anyone whose body temperature exceeds 38 degrees Celsius will be given a more detailed examination.
The Public Health Agency of Canada on Monday advised a health workers against wearing surgical masks because there is no evidence to suggest that they prevent the spread of the virus.
Improper use of masks may actually increase the risk of infection, the agency said on its website. The masks do not act as an effective barrier against the virus when worn for extended periods of time.
In addition, removing a mask incorrectly can spread the virus to one's hands and face, the agency said.
Zambia has imposed a ban on the import of live pigs and pork products from countries seriously affected by the flu outbreak and has also published a preliminary fact sheet on A/H1N1 as it heightens measures against the disease, the Times of Zambia reported on Saturday.
The fact sheet informs people that there is currently no vaccine to combat the virus, but there are actions which can help prevent the spread of germs such as covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when one coughs or sneezes, washing hands with soap, avoiding close contact, and unnecessary contact with pigs, the newspaper said.
The health ministers of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries are scheduled to meet in Thailand on May 8 to discuss the A/H1N1 outbreak, the ASEAN Secretariat said on Monday. The meeting was proposed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
The president of the Asian Development Bank(ADB), Haruhiko Kuroda, warned on Saturday in Bali, Indonesia, that A/H1N1 may cause a severe impact on tourism, aviation and other industries in Asia.
He said the judgment was based on experience from SARS and avian flu, but it was is difficult to make a proper assessment of the impact at this stage.
"At this moment, Asia is not much affected by A/H1N1, but there are too many uncertainties," Kuroda said.
The ADB is ready to provide any necessary financial and technical assistance to any country in need, he said.
The total number of laboratory confirmed A/H1N1 infections worldwide has risen to 615 with 17 deaths, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest update on Saturday.
