The health and quarantine authorities of Hong Kong and neighboring Shenzhen City have been simultaneously implemented health declaration measures at cross- boundary control point here Saturday after Hong Kong reported its first confirmed case of A/H1N1 flu infection.

A spokesman for the Department of Health of Hong Kong said beginning 20:00 Saturday (GMT 1200), all incoming travelers via the Lo Wu Boundary Control Point would be required to submit a completed Hong Kong-Shenzhen Entry/Exit Health Declaration Form.

"The new quarantine measure, to be implemented at other control points at a later stage, is aimed at further reducing the risk of the spread of human swine influenza," the spokesman said.

He said the declaration forms will be collected before travelers go through the immigration control points and they are advised to complete the forms before arriving at the arrival hall so that form collection and immigration clearance procedures can be smoothly conducted.

"Because of the new measures, the waiting time for the passengers and processing time by the control officers may take longer. We appeal to all travelers for their understanding and patience while traveling through the control points," the spokesman added.

Hong Kong's first case of Influenza A/H1N1, formerly known as human swine flu, was confirmed on Friday when a 25-year-old Mexican man traveled to Hong Kong via Shanghai.

The Mexican has been admitted to the Princess Margaret Hospital for medical treatment under quarantine and his condition is stable, Secretary for Food and Health of Hong Kong York Chow said.

Some 100 people from the Metropark Hotel, where the Mexican man with Influenza A/H1N1 once stayed, are being put under quarantine at the hotel and in stable condition, the secretary said.

(Xinhua News Agency May 3, 2009)