The Ecuadorian Health Ministry reported Tuesday three new cases of A/H1N1 flu in Guayaquil, bringing the number of confirmed cases in the country to 28.

The ministry said in a communique that the patients are three minors who had contact with other infected patients in the same city.

Sanitary authorities said that the new cases are in quarantine and under medical observance.

The ministry also said that a new suspected cases of the flu was brought under medical observance in a hospital in Quito Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Infectology Hospital of Guayaquil said that more than 300 people are being monitored for the risk of having the virus.

The Ecuadorian Foreign Ministry said that it has temporarily closed its consulates in Manhattan and Queens in the New York City due to potential medical risks.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 12,954 people have been infected with the A/H1N1 flu virus in 46 countries.

The WHO said that among those infected 80 died in Mexico, 10 in the United States, one in Canada and one in Costa Rica.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2009)