KUALA LUMPUR: Forty-eight new cases of influenza A (H1N1) cases were reported yesterday - 40 imported cases and eight local transmissions.

It was the biggest jump in cases in a day after the 38 cases a day earlier.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai said the imported cases were people who had visited Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and China.

The total number of cases increased to 244, with 206 imported cases and 38 local transmissions, he said.

Despite the increase in the number of infections, the situation was under control and the country was safe for tourists, Liow said after briefing the MPs on the influenza A (H1N1) situation at the Parliament lobby.

The number of cases in Malaysia, he said, was still small compared with other countries.

Of the 244 cases, 128 had recovered and had been discharged from the hospital.

Malaysia was still in the containment stage and the quarantine procedure remained only for those who had been in contact with those infected, he said.

The ministry did not impose travel restrictions but Malaysians were advised against going to countries with many cases of the flu.

He said land entry point checks were being tightened in the country while double screening was carried out on tourists arriving from infected countries - first as they stepped off the plane and again at the immigration counter.

On those going to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage, he said they were already required to take seasonal flu vaccines.