IDADI YA WATU WALIOSOMA HABARI HII: Russian scientists have developed tests to detect the A/H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, a department head at the Epidemiology Central Research Institute said Thursday.

"Yes, they are ready, but these are yet experimental specimens," said German Shipulin, the head of the institute's molecular diagnostics department. He added that state tests need to be conducted as soon as possible.

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that as of 06:00 GMT Thursday, there had been 2,099 confirmed swine flu cases in 23 countries, with a death toll of 44.

But some countries reported higher figures later in the day, with Mexico putting the number of A/H1N1 cases at 1,204, with 44 dead, and the United States reporting two deaths and 896 confirmed cases.

Keiji Fukuda, interim assistant director-general of the WHO, told AFP Thursday that in the event of a pandemic, a third of the Earth's population could be infected with the virus.

The WHO has said there is no risk of infection from the consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products.