Doctors in Lahti in the south of Finland are investigating a possible case of swine flu in Finland.
Samples have been taken from a female patient who recently returned from Mexico, and who has exhibited flu symptoms.
The patient was admitted to the Päijät-Häme Central Hospital in Lahti on Tuesday evening, and is being treated in isolation.
Final results of the tests are expected in about a week, but confirmation of whether or not the patient has influenza is expected in a day or two.
The patient’s symptoms are mild, and her condition is stable. Antiviral medication has been administered.
The World Health Organisation confirmed on Tuesday that 79 cases of swine flu had been reported yesterday. The WHO also confirmed seven more deaths of the disease in Mexico.
Local officials have reported 149 deaths.
Four infections were confirmed in the European Union - two in Britain and two in Spain.
In the United States, the number of confirmed cases had risen to 68 by Tuesday evening Finnish time. An emergency was declared in California over the epidemic.
The Finnish Ministryfor Foreign Affairs joined those of many other countries in urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel to Mexico for the time being.
The National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has issued new instructions for travellers. In spite of the spread of the disease, experts in Finland advise against excessive concern among those travelling abroad.
Officials see no need to prescribe antiviral drugs as a preventative measures for travellers. Finland has stockpiled the antiviral drug Tamiflu as a precaution against a possible outbreak of bird flu. Experts say that the unnecessary use of the drug could weaken its effectiveness against the disease.
Travellers returning from Mexico or the United States are advised to consult a doctor if they show flu symptoms - fever, sore throat, or nasal congestion - within a week of returning.
Other symptoms to look out for include aches in the limbs and shivering.
THL Director-General Juhani Eskola says that there is no need for people to change plans for the celebration of the First of May.
Health officials do not yet know how easily the current flu strain spreads, and how deadly it is. One sign of hope is that most of the cases that have been diagnosed have been quite mild.
