The Ecuadorian health authorities reported on Tuesday three new cases of death from A/H1N1 influenza, raising the death toll in the country to 17.

Ecuadorian Vice Health Minister Marcelo Aguilar said on Tuesday that the three victims died during the last two days.

Aguilar said the number of infected patients in the country has risen to 783.

He also said the virus has been detected in 18 of the 24 provinces in the country, including the border areas with Colombia and Peru. The most affected provinces are Guayas and Pichincha.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2009)