The Ecuadorian Health Ministry confirmed on Friday one new case of A/H1N1 flu, bringing the country's total infections to 36.

However, the ministry called on the Ecuadorian people to remain calm.

The ministry said in a communique that the newly confirmed case involved a person who had close contact with a previously infected patient.

"All patients in the confirmed cases have received timely treatment, which reduced the risk of complications and transmission of the virus," the ministry said.

It added that "it is necessary to be calm," denying rumors that the country already had its first death from the new disease.

The patient who allegedly died from the flu actually had a severe pneumonia, it clarified.

(Xinhua News Agency May 30, 2009)