With the number of new swine flu cases on the rise, the ministry is warning the public to protect themselves by taking sensible precautions like frequent hand washing, and not to use the antiviral drug Tamiflu without a doctor’s prescription.

The most recent H1N1-related death, which was reported on Saturday, is being investigated, the Preventive Health and Environment Department said.

Globally, at least 2,837 people have died from swine flu since the new A (H1N1) virus was detected in April, AFP quoted from the World Health Organization’s latest report on Friday.

That number is 652 more than the last toll of 2,185 published a week ago.

Gregory Hartl, spokesman for the UN health agency, said the increase in the number of deaths was due to the overall rise in the number of people who have caught the A (H1N1) virus, and not because of the virus turning more virulent.

Source: Thanh Nien, VNA, AFP