The cumulative number of Macao's confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 rose to 15, as two new cases were confirmed on Friday.

The two new cases, both of which were imported, were a 24-year-old female resident and a 37-year-old Indian man, according to the Health Bureau of Macao. The woman traveled with her mother to Taiwan between June 18 and 21, and she showed flu symptoms on Wednesday. Her parents and a male friend have been quarantined in their own residences.

Meanwhile, the Indian man flew to Hong Kong on Wednesday, and he showed flu symptoms when he was on board a ferry to Macao in the afternoon of that day, according to the Health Bureau. Sixteen persons including the patient's family members and members of a tourist group that the patient has joined were deemed as having close contact with the patients. Ten of the sixteen persons were quarantined, while other six have already left Macao.

Aside from the two new patients, 11 of the other 13 patients were still receiving medical treatments in a local hospital, while 23 persons were put under medical observation.

So far, all but one of Macao's 15 confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 were imported. Local authorities have raised the pandemic alert to the highest level 6.

(Xinhua News Agency June 27, 2009)