OVER 400 INFECTED WITH SWINE FLU IN INDONESIA

Jakarta, July 27 (ANTARA) - The number of people affected by H1N1 virus in Indonesia has reached 416 , one of whom has died, a health ministry press release said on Monday.

The Health Ministry said that since the first case found on June 24, 2009, swine flu victims had continued to fall and up to Monday night the number of those affected by the disease had reached 416.

According to the Ministry of Health, two swine flu victims were found on June 24, six on June 29, 12 cases on July 4, eight cases on July 7, 24 cases on July 9, 12 cases on July 12, 22 cases on July 13, 26 cases on July 14, 30 cases on July 15, 15 cases on July 16, 15 cases on July 20, 67 cases on July 22, 83 cases on July 23, 21 cases on July 24, 19 cases on July 25 and 54 cases on July 27.

The new cases on swine flu spread in 15 provinces in the country, namely the provinces of Bali, Benten, Yogyakarta, Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, South Kalimantan, Riau Islands, North Sulawesi, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesia and Jambi.

Director General of Disease Control and Sanitation Tjandra Yoga Aditama said swine flu spread fast because the virus was communicated from human to human through direct contacts, coughs or items in touch with the victims.

"If you got an influenza symptom, take medicines, use face masks, don't go anywhere and take a rest at home for five days. If in two days you don't get better, see a doctor," he said.

The government, he said, has been doing its best to prevent the spread of the disease and continued to monitor it at ports while naming reference hospitals and preparing antiviral medication.***3***