The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Secretariat was holding a meeting of involved officials prior to coordinating with the member countries in order to prepare precautionary measures to prevent the potential spread of the swine flu among the ASEAN countries, Surin Pitsuwan, Secretary General of the ASEAN said on Monday.

"The ASEAN Secretariat is aware of the swine flu, even though the flu has not yet affected the ASEAN countries," the Thai News Agency quoted the Secretary General as saying.

Surin said if the swine flu hits the ASEAN countries, it will negatively affect the ASEAN economy, tourism, trade and investment, hence preventive steps essential.

The ASEAN member countries include Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

(Xinhua News Agency April 27, 2009)