The Turkish Health Ministry has taken immediate steps to ward off the fast spreading of new strain of swine flu, local Today's Zaman reported on Tuesday.

As the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared that the flu is a "public health event of international concern," the Turkish Health Ministry informed the public about the precautions taken in the country against the infection.

The Health Ministry's general director of fundamental health services Seracettin Com was quoted as saying that the ministry has taken the necessary precautions against the flu in accordance with Turkey's own situation and WHO recommendations.

"From Monday on, as our action plan requires, travelers from Mexico and its neighbors, along with Spain, are starting to be screened at our airports that are open to international air traffic and Istanbul Ataturk and Ankara Esenboga airports in particular. They will go through health control for any kind of flu symptoms," he said.

If anyone is suspected of carrying the swine flu virus, he will be taken to quarantined hospitals and treated there, he said, adding that they will also distribute booklets at airports to inform all passengers.

"We have also warned our branches across the country about the responses they should give in emergency cases related to the infection. We will keep taking further precautions if the threat of infection increases in the world," Com said.