Canada reports sixth swine flu death

Canada reported yet another death from the influenza A (H1N1) virus Sunday, taking the nationwide toll to six. The country has reported more than 3,500 cases of the swine flu since its outbreak in April.

Health officials in Quebec state confirmed in Montreal that the latest victim was a woman in her 50s. Her death takes the toll from the flu to three in the state, where more than 120 people are currently in hospitals after infection by the deadly virus.

Just a day before, a 40-year-old man had died from the virus in Montreal. Earlier, the state had reported its first death from the virus June 5.

Of the more than 3,500 cases of infection confirmed in Canada, nearly half of them have been reported from Ontario state.

According to Canadian health officials, over five per cent of all the infected people have been hospitalised.

The virus reportedly travelled to Canada from Mexico with a returning farm worker who is suspected to have spread it to a pig herd in Alberta state. This Canadian pig herd is the only one to test positive for the virus now sweeping the world.

From Canada, the virus travelled to Japan via a group of returning students in April.

This week, Morocco in northern Africa also contracted the virus from Canada when a woman coming from Montreal was diagnosed with the flu Thursday. Another person travelling with her was also diagnosed with the virus Saturday.