New Delhi, India (BBN)- India confirmed five more deaths from the deadly influenza A (H1N1) virus on Saturday, taking the total swine flu deaths in the South Asian country to 53, the health ministry officials said.
Four fresh deaths have been reported from Maharashtra while one in Karnataka, according to the health ministry's press statements.
“The cumulative laboratory confirmed deaths reported by the states as on Aug.22 is 53,” the ministry, adding that 31 died of the deadly virus in Maharashtra, 12 in Karnataka, five in Gujarat, two each in Tamil Nadu and New Delhi and one in Kerala.
India reported its first swine flu death on Aug. 3 after a 14-year-old girl student in Pune died from the disease. A 53-year-old woman was the second victim in Mumbai dying on Aug. 8.
BBN/SS/SI/AD-23August09-2:46 am (BST)