Bulgaria will step up control at all border checkpoints as a preventive measure against the spread of swine flu to the country, the national veterinary medical service announced.
Border policemen will check for pork products the hand luggage of all arrivals from Mexico, the United States, Canada and Japan. Bulgaria does not import pork from Mexico, only from the EU member states, officials said.
Bulgaria's Health Ministry is expected to announce measures in a bid to tighten health checks and inspections amidst the warnings of the World Health Organization that the infection could become a pandemic.
At least 20 new cases of swine flu were confirmed in the United States and 10 reported in New Zealand 26 April, as governments worldwide moved to to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly virus that has claimed more than 100 lives in Mexico.
Spanish Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez confirmed Monday the first case of swine flu in Europe. About 20 people are under investigation for suspected symptoms of the disease in Spain.