The Ecuadorian health authorities on Thursday reported four new cases of influenza A/H1N1, raising the flu infection toll to 71 in the country.

Authorities said the patients were two from the capital of Quito, one each from the provinces of Azuay and Guayas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared on Thursday an A/H1N1 flu pandemic and raised its alert level to phase six.

According to the WHO, 75 countries and regions have reported 27,737 cases of influenza A/H1N1 infection, including 141 deaths.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2009)