At least 7 people were injured when a group of locals in Western Argentina tried to stop a bus from neighboring Chile.

On board were over 40 passengers, including one man who showed flu symptoms when checked by doctors at the Argentine-Chilean border.

The bus was directed to a public hospital in Godoy Cruz, on Argentina's western border.

Police had to move in, firing guns with rubber bullets, as the crowd threw rocks and other objects at the vehicle as it arrived at the hospital.

Locals said doctors were already struggling with an outbreak of dengue fever, and they didn't want H1N1 flu as well.

[Godoy Cruz Local]:
"They can't resolve dengue and they are going to bring 40 sick people here."

The passenger in question was a man who presented a high fever and other flu-like symptoms.

Seven travelers sitting next to the man were detained at the hospital for further checks.

Chile has become one of the most affected countries in South America with twenty-nine children and adults testing positive for H1N1.