The number of suspected cases of the influenza A /H1N1 flu in Brazil has reached 32, the country's Health Ministry announced on Tuesday.

The number of confirmed cases stands at eight, according to the ministry.

The epidemic has spread over eight states in Brazil, plus the Federal District.

These states are: Sao Paulo with 14 suspected cases, both Rio de Janeiro and the Federal District with four, Minas Gerais, Parana and Pernambuco states each have two, and Ceara and Rondoniaeach have one.

Among the confirmed cases, six patients have been to Mexico, the United States or Europe, while two were infected in Brazil.

In addition, 29 people in 10 states were under monitoring by the Brazilian health authorities. Some 168 earlier suspected cases have been eliminated with diagnosis of other diseases.

Brazilian Health Minister Jose Gomes Temporao said, unlike the US, Mexico and Canada, the spreading of the virus "limited" in the country, although it seems faster than that of regular influenza.

Temporao called for calmness in the face of the problem.

Latest data from the World Health Organization showed the disease has infected 5,251 people in 30 countries, most of whom were in the US and Mexico. It has claimed the lives of as many as 61 people, with 56 in Mexico, three in the US, one in Canada and one in Costa Rica.