Panamanian health authorities on Tuesday reported six new cases of A/H1N1 influenza, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 65.

The Health Ministry said that of the 65 confirmed cases, 34 were females and 31 males. All of them are in quarantine and receiving specialized treatment.

Among the confirmed cases, 41 were minors and the rest are all under 44 years old, the ministry said.

Health Minister Rosario Turner urged schools to reinforce preventive measures among students to avoid the spread of the A/H1N1 flu virus.

Health inspectors on Tuesday visited five schools that will be closed in order to curb the spread of the virus.

(Xinhua News Agency May 20, 2009)