Peru's Health Ministry said on Thursday the number of A/H1N1 flu cases in the country has risen to 35 after 4 new cases were confirmed in Arequipa province.

The ministry said in a statement that the newly infected people mainly were relatives of or had close contacts with the confirmed flu sufferers.

"All of them are under strict medical control, receiving anti-viral treatment and having a favorable development in recovery," the ministry said.

The World Health Organization said there had been 13,398 reported cases in 48 countries until Thursday.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2009)