Fiji's National Task Force on the Influenza A/H1N1 believed the south Pacific island country should always be prepared for the worst scenario in light of the cool and rainy conditions as well as statistics in neighboring countries.

Although alertness for containing the outbreak continued, the Task Force wants to advise members of the public that everyone should not place their guard down and take heed of medical advice given out by Fiji's health authorities as there are recorded cases in Australia and New Zealand as majority of Fiji's tourists are from these countries.

In a release on Friday, the Task Force emphasized that the message going to members of the public should be to prepare for the worst case scenario.

"What we want to say is that the current system is working well and we are effectively using our surveillance and detection plans well but the current weather conditions and the fact that the virus continues to spread across the world and our neighbors means that we can't let our guards down," said Health Ministry media liaison officer Iliesa Tora on Friday.

"We have to be prepared for the worst case scenario and a lot will depend on members of the public and how well they take heed of advises," he added.

The Task Force received confirmation from the Fiji Islands Hotel Tourism Association (FIHTA) that they will be prepared to help in providing rooms for isolation purposes should the need arise.

FIHTA secretary Michael Wong said the hotel industry supports the steps taken by health officials and they are prepared to help.

"This is a national crisis and as such we will help in whatever way we can," Wong said.

Ports of entries and airports are being monitored closely on a daily basis by Border Control teams.

New Zealand has increased their confirmed cases from five to seven in the past week with one confirmed case in Australia.

"That is worrying and we will continue to be on Phase 5 alert taking extra precaution," Tora said.

Individuals who are ill should delay travel plans and returning travelers who fall ill should seek appropriate medical care.

These recommendations are prudent measures which can limit the spread of many communicable diseases, including influenza and with Fiji's tourism sector being a main money earner for the country the risk from visiting travelers is high.

According to the latest WHO update on the virus' spread, a total of 33 countries have confirmed cases and a total of 65 deaths from the virus have been reported.

(Xinhua News Agency May 15, 2009)