Myanmar is stepping up administration and check on pork distributed from slaughter houses and that on sale in the markets in Yangon as part of its preventive measures against swine flu H1N1 virus in the wake of detection of the disease in some four countries, the local Biweekly Eleven reported on Friday.

Despite the impact, prices of pork on sale in the markets remained unchanged with production of pork from two slaughter houses in Ywathagyi and Insein Ywama underway as normal at a rate of 40,000 to 50,000 viss (6,600 kilograms to 8,250 kilograms) perday, the report said, quoting the Yangon municipal authorities.

Employees in the slaughter houses are also being educated to be alert.

Pigs are distributed to Yangon from southwestern Ayeyawaddy division's Myaungmya and Hinthada, Bago division's southern part and Yangon division's Kayan, Thonkwa, Kawmu, Kungyangon and Tanutpin areas.

As other part of its measures in warding off swine flu virus, Myanmar has also tightened up check on incoming foreign visitors at the country's airports, seaports and border points since April 28, using infrared fever screening system or non-contact thermometer, according to the Ministry of Health.

Arrangements have also been made to keep watching on suspected patients at hospitals and to provide medicines and medical equipment, a spokesman with the ministry said.

The Myanmar Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department has outlined some preventive measures to prevent the swine flu.

No cases of infection has been reported in Myanmar so far.

Suspected infection of swine flu in humans have been reported in Mexico, the United States, Canada and New Zealand in the third week of last month and over 100 people were suspectedly killed by the disease.

According to health experts, the flu is caused by a new strain of virus which is mixed with four genes and can spread quickly.

The health authorities warned that the Swine flu, like SARS, can become pandemic.

The World Health Organization had raised the influenza pandemic alert level to phase five, just one step shy of a global pandemic level.

(Xinhua News Agency May 1, 2009)