Brazil's Health Ministry on Thursday confirmed 53 new cases of A/H1N1 flu in the country, bringing the total number of cases to 452.

The ministry said 31 of the 53 new cases were reported in Sao Paulo state, where half of the infected cases in the country were diagnosed.

Out of the 452 infected patients, only two remain in hospital, including a 14-year-old girl who reportedly had complications which affected her heart, lungs and liver.

The ministry did not give the exact number of the country's domestic transmission cases. Earlier this week, the ministry said domestic transmission was limited, as all patients who caught A/H1N1 flu in Brazil had had contact with someone infected abroad.

The ministry said the country now has 310 suspected cases of A/H1N1 flu, and 677 cases were cleared.

The number of A/H1N1 flu cases in Brazil has increased sharply in the past week. On Thursday, more schools and universities decided to move up winter vacations from July. So far, over 15,000 students have had their classes suspended due to the flu.

The Sao Paulo University's Economy and Business College decided to suspend classes after three students were infected. The decision affects 3,200 students and 300 faculties. The Casper Libero College, also in Sao Paulo, suspended classes after two flu cases were confirmed.

According to the World Health Organization, over 56,000 people were infected with A/H1N1 flu worldwide and a total of 250 people have died from the disease.

(Xinhua News Agency June 26, 2009)