KUALA LUMPUR: Health screening facilities will be placed permanently at all international airports soon.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said as the number of "imported" influenza A H1N1 cases kept rising, it was vital to ensure no passenger was allowed into the country without being screened.

"We used to have a problem with transit passengers because they could enter the country without being screened. Now, we hope to screen everyone."

Of the 18 confirmed cases here, Liow said the ministry was tracing all those who had come into contact with them.

"We are trying not to miss anyone, or the virus will spread. Those who feel sick should get treatment at once."

Liow said the Inter-Ministerial Meeting to address the spread of the virus will be held tomorrow, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yasin.

Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican confirmed that a man from the Philippines became the 18th person to be warded with H1N1 in the country.

The sailor, working on a Malaysian ship, arrived at KL International Airport from Manila at 4.30pm on June 14 via flight MH705.

He was found to have fever and cough and was referred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital where doctors confirmed on Monday that he had been infected.

Dr Ismail said the ministry was tracking down all the passengers on board flight MH705, adding that they should contact the ministry at 03-88810200 or 03-88810300 .

Of the 18 confirmed cases, nines are being treated in hospitals, including Hospital Sungai Buloh, Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Pahang and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

Fifty-two others are under home quarantine, but none have shown any symptoms.