Efforts have been made across the region to contain the virus, but health authorities have predicted that it will spread further.

The World Health Organisation declared it a pandemic last week.

Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said on Monday that an outbreak had struck the farming village of Hilera in the northern, rice-producing province of Nueva Ecija after 20 villagers - who have not recently traveled outside the village - tested positive for the virus in recent weeks.

Eight of those infected were elementary school students and the rest were adults.

'You can't stop the spread of this virus anymore,' Mr Duque told The Associated Press. 'The mitigation efforts are aimed at slowing it down then working to help villagers address the infections.'

Mr Duque said 46 new cases were reported Monday, bringing the number of infections in the country to 193.

All the cases are mild and 71 have fully recovered, he said.

The World Health Organisation said 74 countries had reported nearly 30,000 cases of swine flu, including 145 deaths, as of June 12.

Thailand's Public Health Ministry on Monday confirmed 51 new cases of swine flu - the largest single-day jump since the country's first infection was confirmed in May.

Health Ministry Permanent Secretary Prat Boonyavongvirot said 201 infections had been reported in Thailand and that the number of confirmed cases was likely to rise - particularly in schools and factories - with the arrival of more laboratory results.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva urged public calm on Sunday after the country's number of swine flu cases tripled in two days. -- AP