Bangladesh: Swine flu cases on the increase - taking the total infected to 139

M.A Qader-Reporting from Bangladesh

Dhaka, 28 August, (Asiantribune.com): The swine flu cases continue to increase in the country with at least 22 more cases detected in a single day since the first case was detected in June this year, said officials of the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).

The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 139, the IEDCR officials said.

"All cases we confirmed today contracted the virus within the country. None of them came from abroad," Dr Mahmudur Rahman, director of the IEDCR said on Wednesday.

Only one H1N1 flu patent remains under supervision in hospital, Dr Rahman said, who added that most of cases now being detected are people from the urban areas.

Speaking on Tuesday, as 13 cases were newly confirmed, Dr Rahman said most cases initially detected in the country arrived from overseas, but the trend had shifted to patients who had become infected within the country.

The authorities including the health minister urged the countrymen not to sneezing in public places without using a mask or handkerchief. They also published advertisements in newspapers to create public awareness.

-Asian Tribune-