The ghost of A/H1N1 flu has now haunted Asia as South Korea reported Saturday its first confirmed case of the influenza amid a heightening alert against the deadly virus that is rapidly spreading across the globe.

Passengers coming from Mexico wait to take their baggages at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France, May 2, 2009.

South Korea became the 14th country to report a confirmed case of the virus, and the second one in Asia following China’s Hong Kong, according to the World Health Organization.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the government has decided to suspend flights from Mexico to Shanghai after Hong Kong reported Friday that a Mexican man, who arrived in Hong Kong via Shanghai on April 30, was confirmed to be the first Influenza A H1N1 case in the city.

China’s Health Ministry said Saturday that it would begin a daily status report on influenza A/H1N1 starting Sunday. The ministry will also report the condition of those who were in close contact with influenza A/H1N1 patients, it said.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (GAQSIQ) said China would impose stringent checks on people entering the country by air, land and sea in an attempt to prevent influenza A/H1N1 from spreading to the country.

Anyone entering from places where the flu was reported should have their temperatures checked twice, it said.

With the confirmation of the first A/H1N1 flu case, the health and quarantine authorities of Hong Kong and neighboring Shenzhen City in south China have been simultaneously implemented health declaration measures at cross-boundary control point Saturday.

A spokesman for the Department of Health of Hong Kong said beginning 20:00 Saturday (1200 GMT), 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.

Meanwhile, Cathay Pacific, a Hong Kong airline, Saturday announced a string of preventive measures in response to the highest health alert level raised after the first case of influenza A/H1N1 reported in the city on Friday.

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

Chow said that 188 guests, visitors and staff at the Metropark Hotel, where the Mexican man with Influenza A/H1N1 once stayed, were being quarantined.

In Australia, the Department of Health and Ageing said on Saturday there were 121 Australians being tested for the flu, with no confirmed cases at this stage.

Indian Health Ministry said Saturday evening that three people who were suspected to have been infected with H1N1 flu virus and quarantined at New Delhi airport have tested negative for flu.

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry said Saturday the number of Thai patients suspected of contracting A/H1N1 flu virus has been down to two from four. Four people were earlier under quarantine.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet