Bangladesh Confirms Two More Cases Of Swine Flu, Total 18

July 4, 2009 2:41 p.m. EST

Dhaka, Bangladesh (AHN) - Bangladesh confirmed two more cases of the deadly Influenza A (H1N1) virus on Saturday, taking the total cases to 18, health officials said.

The two newly identified cases were infected through close contact with people already suffering from the flu, Head of the country's Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) under the Health Ministry Mahmudur Rahman reportedly confirmed.

The two people infected on the day are residents of the capital, Dhaka and they are receiving treatment in the confinement of their own homes.

All 18 cases were diagnosed over the last sixteen days. Of them, eight people have already recovered.

Till now nine people who returned from the United States and Australia were found suffering from the virus, The Daily Star, local newspaper, reported quoting IEDCR sources. The others were infected after close contact with them.

Bangladesh government has already urged people not to be panicked about swine flu as it has taken precautionary steps to combat the infectious disease.