China's Ministry of Health (MOH) is developing a diagnostic reagent for use in testing for swine flu, which has killed more than 100 people in Mexico, an MOH spokesman said Monday.

Research on a possible vaccine and medication to combat the deadly virus was also underway, MOH spokesman Mao Qun'an told Xinhua.

A health worker (L) wearing a mask monitors passengers arriving from Mexico and travelling through to Peru for possible swine flu infection at Santiago's international airport April 27, 2009. Mexico said a new flu virus has killed up to 149 people and it ordered all schools to close across the country on Monday as the disease spread in the United States, Canada and Europe, raising fears of a pandemic. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

The MOH had ordered medical institutions at all levels to step up monitoring of suspected swine flu cases, and to report them to the ministry promptly, said Mao.

Local authorities were required to immediately organize experts to provide medical consultations and treatment at designated medical institutions if people were suspected to have contracted the virus.

Swine influenza A/H1N1 is a respiratory disease that infects pigs and does not normally infect humans. But sporadic cases do occur, usually for people who have had close contact with pigs.

At least 103 people had died out of about 1,600 suspected cases in Mexico by Monday noon. A total of 49 cases were reported in the United States, Canada, and other countries.

As of Monday morning, no cases had been reported in China.

However, the Hong Kong Center for Health Protection said Monday that a Hong Kong woman who developed symptoms of respiratory infection and fever while traveling in the United States was being tested for swine flu.

Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang had called a special meeting to study countermeasures to the virus.

Canadian tourists, about to board a plane back to Canada, put on surgical masks as they walk inside Mexico City's international airport Benito Juarez April 27, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Mao said the MOH would enhance contact with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the governments of Mexico and the U.S. to learn about the latest developments.

"China is willing to provide technical support for countries plagued by swine flu," he said.

Though it has no vaccine, the MOH insisted that the swine flu was "preventable, controllable, and treatable."

On Saturday, the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued an emergency notice requiring people to report flu-like symptoms at the point of entry when coming from the swine flu affected places.

People who developed flu-like symptoms after returning from affected regions within two weeks should also report to local entry-exit inspection and quarantine authorities.

These people reporting flu-like symptoms must be examined and those who have been infected or are suspected to be infected by the virus should be isolated and treated, the administration said.

Mexicans wear masks to prevent swine flu in Mexico city, capital of Mexico, April 26, 2009. Five people have died of swine flu in the last 24 hours in Mexico City, bringing the total of those killed to 15 in the capital, Mexico City's mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, told media on Sunday.(Xinhua/David de la paz)

Subway passengers wear masks to prevent swine flu in Mexico city, capital of Mexico, April 26, 2009. Five people have died of swine flu in the last 24 hours in Mexico City, bringing the total of those killed to 15 in the capital, Mexico City's mayor, Marcelo Ebrard, told media on Sunday.(Xinhua/David de la paz)

Editor: Yan