"People can eat pork and the virus is definitely not in South Africa," said Simon Streicher, chief executive officer of the SA Pork Producers Association.

"We have tested our pigs over the last couple of years for swine flu and all our pigs were negative," he said.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases said there had been no change from Monday, when there were no reports of swine flu in South Africa. The institute would make a further statement later on Tuesday.

According to the World Health Organisation, swineflu was reported in the US, Mexico and Canada. News agencies have reported cases as far afield as New Zealand, South Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom.

The WHO said it was not necessary to close borders and restrict international travel, but recommended that anyone who suspected they may have the illness phone their local healthcare provider, rather than go into their consulting rooms, if possible.

They also said it would be prudent for people who were ill to delay international travel, and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention. Symptoms resemble seasonal flu and other acute upper respiratory tract infections.

The National Ports Authority could not immediately provide information on its vigilance plans, while neighbouring Mozambique had already placed its ports of entry on high alert, according to Radio Mozambique.

Sapa

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