Officials from the Tan Binh District Preventive Health Agency in HCMC instruct a local resident (C) on preventive measures to guard against influenza A (H1N1)

The Ministry of Health Friday confirmed six new cases of influenza A (H1N1), increasing to 35 the total number of cases detected in the country.

Two female patients are sisters who flew in from Australia to HCMC on flight VN780 on Thursday. The other female patient is a resident of Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province who tested positive after coming into contact with another patient from the US.

HCMC has so far registered 28 H1N1 cases, Tien Giang Province 3, Ba Ria – Vung Tau 2, and Khanh Hoa Province and Hanoi have recorded one case each.

Of the total 35 cases, 20 have been discharged from hospitals so far and there has been no fatalities.

Other patients have been quarantined and are being treated at hospitals and their conditions are stable, the ministry said.

The ministry advised passengers sharing the above flights to isolate themselves and contact health authorities as soon as they notice any flu-like symptoms.

The A (H1N1) virus has infected nearly 40,000 people in 89 countries and territories so far, causing 167 deaths since late March, AFP reported Friday, citing WHO figures.

Reported by Thanh Nien staff