China's Ministry of Health on Tuesday said an Italian tourist suspected of having the A/H1N1 flu virus was being treated at a hospital in southwest Tibet Autonomous Region.

The 42-year-old female, whose name was not disclosed by the ministry, was "in stable condition" at a hospital in Zham town bordering Nepal. Twenty-three foreign nationals who traveled with her were staying at a local hotel for observation, said the ministry.

The patient was found to have a fever at entry into Tibet at Zham on Saturday. She was then sent to the hospital.

Tibet's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted laboratory tests Monday, and the result was A/H1N1 positive. The ministry said the national CDC will double-check the test.

A six-member medical team has been sent to Zham to help with treatment and lab work, the ministry said.