Rome, 2 Sept. (AKI) - A 35 year-old Italian tourist is one of three people believed to have been infected with A(H1N1) virus, or swine flu, as well as the H5N1 virus, known as avian flu. The patients are recovering in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Hurghada, said Mohammed Rifai, director general of preventive medicine.

Rifai also spoke of a 28-year-old man who tested positive for both viruses, after arriving at the port of Safaga after a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

"We are waiting the results of the tests that have already been carried out in some patients suspected of having been infected by the H5N1 and the A(H1N1)," said World Health Organisation spokesman Gregory Hartl in an interview with Adnkronos Salute.

"However, at the moment there are no confirmed cases."

Hartl, however, did not want to specify the nationality of the suspected cases.

Last week in Chile, the A(H1N1) virus was found in turkeys, raising concern that poultry farms elsewhere in the world may also become infected with the pandemic swine flu virus.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization interim chief veterinary officer, Juan Lubroth, said that it could theoretically become more dangerous if the A(H1N1) combines with H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, which is far more deadly but harder to pass along among humans.

The emergence of new influenza virus strains capable of affecting humans and domestic animals remains a broader, more general concern that is being closely monitored by FAO, the World Organization for Animal Health and the World Health Organization.

In addition, the first mass vaccinations against swine flu will be available from November in Italy, the Italian government has announced.

The vaccine is expected to be available for those most at risk, an estimated 24 million Italians or 40 percent of the population.

According to Italian media reports, the government is planning to release eight million doses from mid-November until mid-December.

Another 16 million doses of the vaccine are expected to be available from 31 January 2010.

The ministry of health, together with medical officials and regional representatives, will work together with doctors to administer the vaccine free of charge.

In the first phase, the vaccine will be offered to health workers and to those most at risk, including residents of nursing homes and pregnant women as well as family doctors.

Another round of vaccines will be made available to those aged between two and 65 years of age, suffering from respiratory illnesses by the end of the year.

Others aged between two and 27 years will be eligible for another round of vaccines at the end of January.