Israeli Health Ministry decided on Thursday to raise the readiness level for the swine flu virus to Phase 5 out of 6, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported in its online edition.

The decision was made after an emergency meeting held by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior health officials in Jerusalem, in a bid to prepare for the possibility of a swine flu outbreak in Israel.

Israeli Health Ministry will dispatch doctors to border crossings and entry points into Israel, especially Ben-Gurion International Airport, according to a statement released by Israel Government Press Office.

People who were in Mexico in the past week are requested to remain at home, refraining from reaching crowded places and using public transportation, the statement added.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Ministry will stop the departure of Israeli delegations to Mexico. Travel warnings will be issued to Israelis, who will be called upon to refrain from visiting Mexico at this time.

Two Israelis have already been confirmed as having the virus, while four other suspected patients tested negative.

Israeli Health Ministry is to begin on Thursday an information campaign to instruct the public on how to reduce the chances of becoming infected with the disease and to prevent its spread.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from Phase 4 to 5, advising all countries to immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans.