HOUSTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Thirty-eight new cases of the A/H1N1 flu have been confirmed in the U.S. state of Mississippi during the past three days, bringing the state's total number to 152, local health authorities said on Monday.

    The state health department said Harrison and Jackson are the two hardest-hit counties, with 25 and 20 confirmed cases respectively.

    Health officials said that the A/H1N1 flu virus responds well to two anti-viral medications -- Tamiflu and Relenza, which can reduce the severity and duration of the flu when taken at the onset of symptoms.

    But children, the elderly, pregnant women and the chronically ill may be at higher risk for complications, the officials said.

    Meanwhile, they warned children or teenagers under 18 years old against using aspirin, saying aspirin with viral infections can cause Reye's syndrome, a life-threatening illness.

    The Mississippi State Department of Health said there are still no A/H1N1-related deaths in the state. However, it has alerted the state's flu surveillance system to increase its monitoring and reporting of influenza-like illness.

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