HAVANA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Dominican health authorities reported three new deaths of A/H1N1 influenza on Tuesday, raising the death toll to eight in the country.

    The eight deaths were reported in Santiago, Bani, San Cristobaland the capital city of Santo Domingo, news reports quoted Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gomez as saying.

    With a new school term about to begin, there could be a second outbreak, but the health ministry was prepared to deal with it, he said.

    A/H1N1 vaccines, however, might not reach every part of the country quickly due to its high cost, according to the minister. But the ministry would give priority to pregnant women, the elderly, children and people with heart problems.

    On Monday, Rojas said his country was ready for a second pandemic outbreak.

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