InsideJapan News Network

Narita Airport in the Japanese capital Tokyo has begun testing passengers for swine flu following an outbreak of the condition in Mexico.

So far, no infected individuals arriving from the country have been detected by a thermographic imaging device being used by the quarantine office.

A liaison office has been established by the Japanese government to collect information on the outbreak.

The Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry has also confirmed that no outbreaks of swine flu have been reported. The ministry has not requested tests on pork products because the virus dies when it is heated.

Last week, authorities in Mexico said 20 people had died from the outbreak and a further 48 fatalities could have been linked to it.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, swine flu is a respiratory disease found in pigs that can also occur in humans.

Written by Susan Ballion