The Ecuadorian Public Health Ministry (MSP) reported on Wednesday seven new cases of A/H1N1 influenza, totaling 91 cases in the country.

A majority of 68 among the 91 confirmed cases are in Ecuadorian southwest port city Guayaquil, defining it the most effected area in the country.

The MSP said in a communique on the day that it have strengthened the epidemic vigilance to detect new possible cases, "which would need a prompt attention and hospitalization."

After the World Health Organization's declaration of an A/H1N1 pandemic, Ecuador launched a new strategy which gives priority to help the most vulnerable people from the flu, the MSP said.

Ecuador reported its first case on May 15, a Guayaquil boy who returned from the United States.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2009)