SIX members of the national Under-16 water polo team who competed in Jakarta last week tested positive for the Influenza A (H1N1) virus after returning on Sunday.

The six boys, all aged 15 and students of either Raffles Institution or Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), had been in the Indonesian capital for an Under-20 competition since Tuesday last week.

They are on a seven-day home quarantine and are in stable condition, said Singapore Swimming Association vice-president (water polo) Ivan Tan on Friday.

The cases come on the heels of table tennis player Kerry Tan, 14, being diagnosed with the H1N1 flu on Monday, a few days after his return from the South-east Asia Junior Championships in Bangkok.

An Asian Youth Games match between Singapore and the Philippines on Wednesday was put on hold, after the Republic's representatives, Clarence Chew and Tay Jit Kiat, were identified the previous night as potential close contacts of Kerry.

The pair were eventually deemed to have not come into close contact with him and proceeded with their games.

Despite the recent cases, national sports associations can continue to send athletes for overseas training or competitions for now.

'We take our cue from the Ministry of Health's guidelines, which for now is to take the necessary precautions when travelling,' said Mr Teo Ser Luck, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.

'But if the situation changes and MOH says certain countries should be avoided, then we must abide by the national policy,' he added.