The Salvadorian government has ordered all schools in the country to close from July 27 to Aug. 9, according to news reports from San Salvador on Wednesday.

Health Minister Maria Isabel Rodriguez said people suffering flu-like symptoms should stay away from the well-attended religious festival that the country holds in August to avoid spreading the disease, adding that families should keep children at home.

She also said the government has spent US$1 million of the US$7-million anti-flu budget so far.

Salvadorian health authorities have reported 469 confirmed A/H1N1 flu cases, among which six people have died.

(Xinhua News Agency July 23, 2009)