Geneva - Mexico proposed to the World Health Assembly convening in Geneva on Monday that it consider creating an "economic contingency fund" to compensate countries affected by the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova told the assembly this fund should be used for countries "that notify in a timely and responsible manner" as this would "encourage transparency and international cooperation in public health matters."

The minister also pushed for nations to lift any trade restriction on Mexico imposed following the outbreak. Some countries blocked North American pork in their response to the virus, which is also known as swine flu.

Cordova also said he supports a proposal made led by Britain with the backing of China, New Zealand and other countries, to have the World Health Organization introduce "flexibilities" into its pandemic alert system for influenza.

Some conditions the countries would like to see include that the alert take into account the virulence of the disease and the spread within a country's population. Currently, the system only includes geographic spread across regions.

The WHO was maintaining its phase 5 alert level, just one below the highest possible.

"People in the population don't understand what means 4, 5 or 6, even though we have taken time to explain it," Cordova told journalists in Geneva.

"I have listened very carefully to your concerns," the agency's Director-General Margaret Chan, told delegates of the 193 member-states. "I will follow your instruction carefully, particularly concerning criteria for a move to Phase 6."

The Group of 7 industrialized countries (G7) were to meet the Mexican minister on Tuesday.

The assembly, meeting until Friday, is the highest decision-making body of the WHO. (dpa)