Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh confirmed seven more cases of the deadly Influenza A (H1N1) virus in the last two days, taking the total cases to 16, health officials confirmed.

Of the seven, four were detected on Wednesday and others three on Tuesday, Head of the country’s Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research under the Health Ministry Mahmudur Rahman reportedly confirmed.

He also said for the first time, a returnee from Australia has been diagnosed with the A (H1N1) virus, nine of the infected are returnees from the United States and the rest six got infected due to close contact with them.

Bangladesh government has already urged people not to be panicked about swine flu as it has taken precautionary steps to combat the infectious disease.

Of the 16 cases, nine are under treatment in home confinement and seven are fully cured, Mr. Rahman added.

The country’s all medical college hospitals have been asked to open separate outdoor services for patients with flu like diseases.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-02July09-2:34 am (BST)