Some 30 staff members of the Argentine Foreign Ministry have been quarantined as a measure to prevent the spread of influenza A/H1N1, diplomatic sources said on Tuesday.

The quarantined foreign ministry workers had been in contact with one of their colleagues infected with H1N1 flu who returned from Washington last weekend.

The Argentine government refused to close the building of the Foreign Ministry over concerns of the possible infection.

Meanwhile at least seven schools were temporarily closed due to possible and confirmed influenza A/H1N1 cases.

It is reported on Tuesday that the schools had suspended activities due to confirmed cases among students.

Jorge del Rio, health director of Pilar, 60 km north to Buenos Aires,said on Tuesday that the schools would be closed for at least 14 days, according to the international practice in dealing with these cases.

(Xinhua News Agency May 27, 2009)