Athletes from around the pacific visiting the Cook Islands in September for the Pacific Mini Games will not be screened at the airport for swine flu H1N1.

Health officials in the Cook Islands are confident they can cope with an influx of visitors for the Pacific Mini Games despite the influenza pandemic.

Director of Community Health Services, Dr Josephine Herman said resources are focused on treatment at a separate influenza clinic and limiting the community spread, rather than border controls.

Herman said the athletes that will be coming for the Pacific Mini Games in September, their main focus will be to ensure that before they come to the Cook Islands, they are healthy and well.

She said there are currently fourteen cases of swine flu in the Cook Islands. Meanwhile Team Fiji will be sending 215 athletes and officials to the Games.