Uruguayan Public Health Ministrer María Julia Muñoz announced today that there were fifteen verified cases of H1N1 in the country. She added that the health authorities were waiting for 30 more blood samples results in the coming days and that the number could raise. The 15 confirmed patients "are all being treated and are getting better," said the ministry. Three days ago, Uruguay had recognized only 6 cases.

Patients are between 14 and 62 years old and the first case appeared in the Canelones region, she added. In the large majority of the cases the patient had recently traveled to Argentina or had been in contact with someone who did. Argentina recently confirmed 100 cases of swine flu. "There is no reason to close the border with Argentina", Muñoz added, "and we all live better thanks to the relationships with other countries. As the World Health Organisation said, it is not necessary."