Spike in flu cases prompts Thailand to shut schools

BANGKOK: Thailand announced a 50 percent increase in swine flu cases yesterday and ordered a dozen schools to close for a week as confirmed infections mounted across Asia-Pacific and new cases were reported in the Middle East.

New Zealand reported 28 new cases, matching its biggest jump in cases in a single day.

The World Health Organization declared the H1N1 flu a pandemic last week. There have been no fatalities reported so far in Asia.