The Pacific island nation Fiji recorded a total of 73 confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 following the confirmation of eight more new cases, said the country's Ministry of Health on Tuesday.

These were confirmed cases from a batch of 24 samples tested on Monday night.

The eight cases include six males and two females, and one of them is a student.

That brings the divisional totals to 39 for Suva, 21 for Nadi and 13 for Lautoka.

Fiji Ministry of Health Media Liaison Officer Iliesa Tora said the increase was expected because of the number of travelers as well as the cold season.

Tora said there was no need for alarm within the communities as there were awareness programs to ensure precautionary measures were taken by communities.

"Our public health teams at the various centers have worked hard with the cases confirmed and their immediate contacts to ensure that the spread is minimized," Tora said.

He said the National Task Force on the epidemic will meet this week to discuss the current situation with advice from the Ministry of Health on further steps to be taken.

There is growing concern with two major public events currently being held in the country - the Bula Festival in Nadi and the Pacific Youth Festival in Fiji's capital Suva.

There is also a concern over the spread to schools, especially after some students were infected with the new flu virus.

Tora said schools would only be closed if there was proof of a pandemic in the area.

As the cases continue to increase, the Ministry of Health has also stepped up its awareness campaigns.

Officials have confirmed that there are enough supplies of Tamiflu and personal protective equipment at the Government Pharmacy, with bulk purchases now available for personal protective equipment.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2009)