Ecuadorian health ministry on Thursday said the country will intensify anti-flu measures after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the new strain of A/H1N1 flu a global pandemic.

Health Minister Caroline Chang told reporters that the WHO's declaration of a pandemic triggered six months of ever-tighter measures in Ecuador and these would focus on preventing deaths by identifying people suffering acute respiratory deficiencies.

The new measures would "complement the action we have been developing since April 25," Chang said.

Chang also said public hospitals are ready with effective medicines and she told citizens to remain calm.

Ecuadorian and Peruvian health authorities are now cooperating to prevent any possible spread of the disease across the border, she added.

Ecuador confirmed Thursday two more cases of the flu, raising the infection toll to 73 in the country.

(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2009)