Fiji was on guard against the deadly swine influenza virus A that might have spread to neighboring New Zealand through students returning from Mexico.

Fiji Permanent Secretary for Health Salanieta Saketa said in Suva on Monday that the ministry has held talks with senior health officials around the country as well as World Health Organization representatives to discuss the nature and impact of the virus. "We are working with our counterparts to strengthen the dissemination of information on this virus. Our main concern is that there is no public panic," the Fijilive quoted him as saying at a press conference.

With information on the swine flue virus still sketchy at this stage, Saketa said the situation would be assessed daily.

Saketa said the ministry was working with government agencies on border controls and would use its new influenza laboratory to help screen and determine the presence of the virus in Fiji.

Jacob Kool, medical officer at WHO's communicable diseases surveillance and response unit, said the swine flue virus was deadly because there was no natural resistance to it.

"This virus is a combination of four influenza virus with an incubation period of two to seven days and is spread by direct contact -- kissing, shaking hands. There is no natural resistance to it," Kool said.

He said symptoms included the normal influenza symptoms of fever and sore throat accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting.