New Delhi - Indian health authorities sounded an alert after an outbreak of a deadly swine flu strain appeared to be spreading in other countries, news reports said Monday. The Federal Health Ministry called an emergency meeting of experts from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and the Indian Council of Medical Research Monday to determine containment measures if the virus was detected in Asian countries, the Times of India newspaper reported.

Checks at airports were also stepped up in the country, the report said.

The Health Ministry was in contact with airlines flying to India from the affected countries. Officials were keeping a close watch for passengers suffering or showing flu symptoms.

Mexican authorities said that up to 103 people died of suspected swine flu, with more than 20 cases confirmed.

Health authorities around the world were racing to contain the outbreak as potential new cases were reported from the US, New Zealand and Spain, raising concerns about the potential for a global pandemic.(dpa)