Every 30-40 years an influenza pandemic arises and it is hard to determine the severity of the virus as the strain always changes.

World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Fiji, Dr Jacob Kool said that with Fiji being the gateway to the Pacific and getting flights from infected countries, it is hard not to rule out the possibility of Swine Flu entering Fiji.

Dr Kool said at the moment it would be difficult to see what medicine is needed as the viral strain keeps on changing, however he said looking back at history, severe cases like the Spanish Flu and more recently the Hong Kong Flu and the Avian Flu or commonly known as the Bird Flu, has seen countries prepared for any outbreak.

Meanwhile, Director Public Health Dr Greg Rafai said that Fiji has in place a state of the art laboratory at Mataika House in Tamavua and has a stock load of anti-virals that will assist in the country's readiness for the virus.

Specialists teams have been mobilized to various ports of entries with screening of planes entering the country have been initiated.

In Mexico, the suspected deaths from swine flu have risen to 159 while the number of people with suspected swine flu in NZ is 96.