A new spate of swine flu (A/H1N1) has broken out in the northern province of Bac Kan, health officials reported February 3.

Eighteen people have recently contracted the A/H1N1 virus in the province’s Na Ri District, said Dr. Nguyen Huy Nga of the Preventive Health and Environment Department. The patients have shown typical symptoms of the virus including fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle pain, he added.

Dr. Nga made the announcement at a meeting of the National Steering Board for Human Flu Prevention on February 3 in Hanoi.

Earlier on January 27, the Ministry of Health reported that several Bac Kan students at a secondary school in Dong Xa Commune had contracted the illness.

Dr. Nga said the epidemic is complicated and that the health ministry has therefore ordered medical clinics to strengthen monitoring of A/H1N1 cases, quarantine patients immediately, and ensure prompt treatment of those affected to stop the virus from spreading.

Hospitals have also been asked to step up monitoring of avian flu, acute diarrhea and dengue fever.

Provinces with border crossings must control the flow of visitors from affected regions and detect swine flu cases quickly.