At least 17 citizens of Kyrgyzstan have tested positive for swine flu, Sabirjan Abdikarimov, the Assistant Health Care Minister told reporters in Bishkek Thursday.

“We received the latest updates an hour ago. People are in panic, but we call residents not to be heroes and immediately turn to doctors for medical help. One of the infected from the city of Osh has hesitated to turn to medics for two days, which brought him to an intensive care unit,” Abdikarimov added.

Eight of the infected patients now stay at the Bishkek Infectious Clinic to receive required treatment. The doctors evaluate their health as stable.