健康英语新闻:Venezuela confirms 482 A/H1N1 influenza cases

CARACAS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The number of confirmed cases of the A/H1N1 influenza in Venezuela has risen to 482 this year, Health Minister Eugenia Sader said on Wednesday.

According to the latest report, the state of Merida in southeastern Venezuela has 189 A/H1N1 influenza cases, the biggest number ever reported, which was followed by the Capital District of Caracas with 112 cases. The other 181 cases were confirmed in 17 of 24 Venezuelan states.

The first case for this year was reported in Merida earlier this month.

Sader said that the Venezuelan government was trying to prevent the spread of the disease. Some 3 million people have been vaccinated against the virus.

Three patients infected with the A/H1N1 influenza virus have died in the country this year, according to Sader.

The A/H1N1 influenza can cause deadly pneumonia if it is not treated early.