The condition of a Dutch female visitor who had been suspected of suffering from influenza A-H1N1 had reportedly improved on Monday, as Bali remains anxious to prevent any outbreaks of the new flu strain.

With the results of lab tests expected to be released in three days, examinations of the woman's condition showed her health returning to normal in terms of heart rate, blood pressure and physical wellbeing, Sanglah General Hospital director Lanang Rudhiarta said.

Meanwhile, I Ketut Agus Somia, head of Sanglah's Influenza A-H1N1 task force, said the patient had a sore throat on Sunday but was beginning to recover.

"Her symptoms did not indicate that she was suffering from Influenza A-H1N1," Agus said.

"But the diagnoses were varied and therefore we have to make comprehensive observations."

The woman is now being treated in Sanglah's Nusa Dua isolation ward, which has previously been reserved for patients suffering from avian flu and other highly contagious diseases.

The patient had traveled from her hometown in Amsterdam via Kuala Lumpur before arriving at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Sunday.

Several cases of Influenza A-H1N1 have been confirmed in the Netherlands.

With more than 2 million visitors from across the world every year, Bali is vulnerable to diseases.

"We are still waiting for the results of further tests, and therefore we are not yet certain when the patient can go home," Agus said.

Sri Budayanti, head of the Udayana University's Biomedic and Molecular Laboratory, confirmed that her institution had examined the woman's blood sample.

However, she said her lab had tested for the primary H1N1 virus, not the Mexican H1N1 strain.

"The Mexican flu is very specific and deadly. The primary H1N1 virus is like other flu viruses that can be healed properly," she said.

In Indonesia, only the Health Ministry's Research and Development Agency laboratory in Jakarta can accurately detect the Mexican flu.

To prevent Influenza A-H1N1 from spreading to Bali, Sanglah General Hospital has distributed thousands of leaflets on how to treat the disease if it becomes a global pandemic.

The leaflet contains simple steps to reduce risks of contracting flu including through maintaining hygiene, keeping yourself and others informed and isolating any suspect cases.

Try to maintain a distance of more than one meter from others, especially if they appear to be sick, the pamphlet suggests.

"Stay at home as much as possible."

Then, cover any coughs or sneezes with a mask, tissue or elbow, but not with the hands.

"These are measures only necessary in the case of a pandemic. But, people should be prepared now and plan for this," it says.

Popular

Retail sales, consumer confidence ease as Idul Fitri boost dissipates

Students to rally against Prabowo amid economic pressures

Number of forcibly displaced people dips to 118 million: UN