Kosovo health authorities increased Monday preventive measures against A/H1N1 flu, as the infection spreads in the region.

Kosovo Health Minister Alush Gashi said that health authorities are prepared to act against the influenza. Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia have reported soaring cases of the infection in their territories.

"As you know influenza soars in many countries, it has reached to Kosovo borders, and some neighboring countries already have first cases reported," said Gashi.

Kosovo health authorities decided to intensify monitoring measures over the influenza in the entering places in Kosovo, including the Pristina airport.

A Serbian province dominated by ethnic Albanians, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. It has been recognized by 60 countries, but Serbia says it will never do so.

Gashi said that there is no need for disturbance since the authorities have taken all the needed measures.

According to him there are enough medics to treat patients, enough doze of Tamiflu drugs and other additional medical staff needed.

Samples of suspected cases will be sent to Slovenia or Britain for further analysis, said Gashi.

"We hope to open a laboratory in Kosovo before September. But we demand from the government to allow us in ordering vaccines against the pandemic, as the vaccine will appear in a short future," said Gashi.

Weeks after the H1N1 flu appeared in the Western countries, Kosovo sent medical staff to Slovenia for adequate training.

World Health Organization representative in Kosovo Skender Syla appealed for a higher vigilance in preventing the H1N1 flu.

He suggested further awareness campaigns for citizens to report the case if they show evidences of the pandemic.

Source: Xinhua