Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency meeting Tuesday evening to evaluate preparations for the recent development regarding the looming threat of swine flu, following the confirmation of two cases of the virus.

Alert level raised

Having been updated on the various future scenarios and forecasts, the Israeli government decided during the meeting to continue preparations on the basis of existing procedures in Israel and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, according to a statement released by Israel Government Press Office.

Israeli Health Ministry would examine existing stock of medicines in the country so as to be able to respond to future developments. Relevant officials would continually assess the situation and update the Israeli prime minister on a daily basis.

Earlier Tuesday, the health ministry raised the preparedness level for swine flu from Phase 3 to Phase 4. The change in preparedness levels did not involve any serious operative changes, since the ministry had contingencies for such a situation.

Meanwhile, signs were posted at Israeli Ben-Gurion International Airport, warning travelers arriving from Mexico to be on the alert for flu-like symptoms within a week of their return and to get medical help in that case.

'Pandemic' potential

Israeli health authorities confirmed two cases of swine flu on Tuesday, signaling the spread of the virus from Mexico to the Middle East. The WHO has warned it has "pandemic" potential.

The 26-year-old man Tomer Vajim and a 47-year-old man, both of whom traveled back from Mexico, were diagnosed positive to the H1N2 virus after quarantine at hospital.

Israeli Health Ministry said Vajim was listed in a stable condition, but remained in hospital for observation, while the 47-year-old man is being kept in isolation while being treated.

Israeli health authorities fear that a third case of swine flu may have been discovered.

A 5-year-old niece of Tomer Vajim was undergoing tests to determine whether she had also contracted the virus, the website of Ha'aretz daily reported.

The hospital said the girl was in the children's ward and that she was in a good condition. She was admitted after suffering from a high temperature, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms.

A possible fourth victim is a 9-year-old boy who was on a flight from Newark of the United States, which landed in Israel two days ago carrying the second confirmed swine flu patient, said Ha'aretz.

The boy has been hospitalized in the children's hospital Dana in Tel Aviv after coming down with flu symptoms. Blood samples will be delivered to the WHO to determine whether he had contracted the virus.

Preventice measures

In a bid to prevent the virus from spreading, Israeli Health Ministry reported Saturday evening that all hospital managers, as well as district doctors, had been briefed on the signs of the new swine flu virus and on preparedness procedures.

The ministry also released a list of preventive measures to the public, including frequent hand-washing, particularly after coughing or sneezing, and a recommendation to anyone suspected of having contracted the virus and traveling for treatment not to take public transport.

Swine flu refers to influenza caused by any strain of the influenza virus that is endemic in pigs. Till now, more than 150 people have died in Mexico in an outbreak of the virus. Dozens of other cases have been confirmed worldwide.

The WHO on Monday raised its pandemic alert level from Phase 3 to Phase 4, which means the swine flu virus can cause sustained human-to-human transmission and "community-level outbreaks."