Venezuelan health authorities declared on Friday a state of emergency after reporting the first case of A/H1N1 influenza in the country on Thursday.

President from the National Institute of Hygiene (INH) Jesus Querales said the Health Ministry gave orders to all private and public doctors "to be on alert."

Querales said that the first case of A/H1N1 flu in the country is a male patient who arrived from Panama and the health authorities monitor the rest of the passengers who were on the same flight.

Querales also called on people to go to health centers when having any of the symptoms.

"These virus are characterized for their high capacity to reproduce, but the mortality rate is low," Querales said.

According to the INH, till Thursday there have been 198 samples tested in the country and only one was positive.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2009)