China's Ministry of Health said early Saturday that prevention and control measures were being taken after the Hong Kong health authorities confirmed on Friday the first case of influenza A/H1N1 epidemic.

Medical workers transport boxes of disinfectants to the quarantined Metropark Hotel, where the patient of influenza A/H1N1 checked in, in Wanchai of Hong Kong, south China, May 1, 2009. Hong Kong has reported the first confirmed case of influenza A/H1N1 in the city, Chief Executive Donald Tsang announced on May 1. [Xinhua]

The patient, a 25-year-old Mexican, departed from Mexico on board AM098 on April 29 and arrived in Shanghai at 6 a.m. on April 30. Then he took the China Eastern Airlines MU505 at 11:20 a.m. to Hong Kong.

The ministry said it is exerting efforts to track the passengers aboard the flights to ensure that they are quarantined. In addition, it has provided the information on the MU505 passengers to the health authorities of Hong Kong.

Policemen guard the quarantined Metropark Hotel, where the patient of influenza A/H1N1 checked in, in Wanchai of Hong Kong, south China, May 1, 2009. [Xinhua]

(Xinhua News Agency May 2, 2009)