The sharp increase of A/H1N1 flu cases in Brazil has led the country's health authorities decided to intensify measures to prevent the virus from spreading in the country, Xinhua reported.

Health Minister Jose Gomes Temporao said on Friday that the diagnosis of A/H1N1 flu will be made not only by laboratory tests but also by finding out whether the patient has had any contact with other A/H1N1 flu patients.

Only the patients whose symptoms increased after 48 hours, as well as pregnant women, elders, low-immunity patients and babies, will receive the specific medication against A/H1N1 flu.

According to the Health Ministry, the measure is necessary because the indiscriminate use of the medication can cause the A/H1N1 flu virus to become more resistant.

The Health Ministry informed that it has 53 hospitals equipped to treat the A/H1N1 flu patients and enough medicine for 10,000 patients.

The ministry has also taken other precautions to increase airports inspections and recommend Brazilians, especially children, elders, pregnant women and people with low-immunity, to postpone trips to countries such as Argentina and Chile, which had a recent surge of A/H1N1 flu cases.

According to the Health Ministry's latest reports, there are 522 people infected with A/H1N1 flu and 477 suspected cases in Brazil.