The total number of people confirmed to have contracted the H1N1 strain of influenza A in Japan has topped 2,000, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said on Wednesday.

Most of the 2,000 people have already been cured and there have been no reports of severe cases, the ministry said.

Japan's first case was confirmed in early May and the number of infections reached 1,000 in late June.

The government has relaxed the measures regarding the flu patients, allowing them to cure by themselves at home as well as permitting all clinics nationwide to treat the patients.

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2009)