QUITO, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Ecuadorian Policy Minister Ricardo Patino has been infected with A/H1N1 flu, the Health Ministry reported on Thursday.

    Patino began to show flu-like symptoms last week and is currently being treated with anti-viral medicine at home.

    President Rafael Correa is also under medical observance because one member of his security team has been infected with the flu, the ministry said.

    Correa will not be isolated as he has not been symptomatic, it added.

    The staff working at the Carondelet Palace has been ordered to wear masks after the infection.

    Ecuador has reported 23 deaths from A/H1N1 flu, while the number of infections in the country has exceeded 700, according to the ministry.

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