Nairobi - Kenyan health authorities were Saturday probing a suspected case of swine flu, which if confirmed would be the first in the East African nation.

South Africa last week became the first sub-Saharan African country to confirm a case of swine flu. Since then, Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast and Cape Verde have reported cases.

A woman who attended a private health clinic in the capital Nairobi has been isolated and tests are being conducted to determine if she is in fact suffering from the A(H1N1) virus, local media reported.

The Health Ministry was expected to hold a press conference later in the day.

The World Health Organization says many African nations are particularly vulnerable due to poor healthcare systems and the presence of other respiratory illnesses such as tuberculosis.

According to the WHO's latest figures, released Friday, there have been 59,814 cases of swine flu and 263 deaths worldwide. (dpa)