Argentina is barring flights from Mexico until next Monday because of fears over that country's swine flu outbreak, cabinet chief Sergio Massa told reporters.

"All flights from the Federal District (capital) of Mexico are suspended" until midnight Sunday, he said late Tuesday after a crisis meeting attended by President Cristina Kirchner.

The South American country has so far no confirmed cases of the disease, although three suspected cases are being examined.

Other flights from Mexico that make stopovers in other countries will be allowed to land, but only at Buenos Aires's international airport, where health checks will be made, he added.

Checks would also be made on passengers arriving by water from neighboring Uruguay and by land, Massa said.

The official also called on any passengers recently arrived from Canada, the United States or Mexico to contact authorities and undergo a medical check-up.

Argentina is increasing its stock of antiviral medicine that can treat the early stages of the swine flu virus, Massa said.

AFP

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