YANGON, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Death toll from seasonal influenza A/H1N1-2009, also known as swine flu, reached 25 in Myanmar as of Tuesday sine the outbreak of the disease in July, Myanmar News Agency reported Wednesday.
The number of deaths climbed to 25 as seven new cases of H1N1 were confirmed over the last two days, the Ministry of Health and Sports was quoted as saying.
A total of 242 people were found infected with the virus across the country since July 21.
Patients contracting with the virus have been receiving treatment at designated specialist hospitals.
So far, no infection was found to health staff or officials who are treating the H1N1 patients, the ministry's statement said.
The statement urged the elderly, children, pregnant women, people with chronic illness and low immune system to follow the ministry's guidelines to guard against the seasonal influenza and to receive medical examination at the nearest health department if they experience any of the virus' symptoms.
Meanwhile, Myanmar's parliamentarians have put forward an important motion urging the government to carry out extensive education awareness campaign in order to contain the current spread of H1N1 virus and stressing the need for introducing preventive vaccination against the infection.
In last month's rainy season, Myanmar also faced another influenza attack, namely H5N1 (bird flu), leaving 5,000 chickens culled.
The bird flu occurred on July 26 in Dawei township, southern Tanintharyi region.
