TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines -- An Australian national has been placed under observation at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) here for possible infection of the Influenza A (H1N1) virus when he showed flu-like symptoms days after arriving in Eastern Samar.

Dr. Alberto De Leon, chief of the EVRMC, said on Tuesday the hospital submitted the specimens taken from the 51-year-old patient to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for confirmatory tests.

The Australian national arrived in the country last May 28 and immediately proceeded to the hometown of his fiancee in Hernani town, Eastern Samar. But on June 1, he experienced high fever and cold, De Leon said.

High fever and cold are among the symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus.

On Monday, the Australian was brought to a private hospital here in the city for treatment, De Leon said.

"The doctor who examined him informed us that he had high fever and cold. He was immediately brought here at the EVRMC where he was placed in an isolation room," De Leon explained.

The EVRMC has been designated as the hospital in Eastern Visayas to treat and monitor patients showing the H1N1 flu symptoms.

Australia is one of the countries where there were confirmed H1N1 flu cases.

The results of the specimens submitted to the RITM would be known by Wednesday, De Leon said.

He allayed fears of the public about the H1N1 virus. The region, he said, had so far no confirmed case, as of Tuesday.

De Leon also said that the EVRMC has enough doctors and medicines to respond to possible H1N1 cases.

The Department of Health has confirmed 21 H1N1 flu cases nationwide.