Swine flu confirmed in Samoa; more deaths in Australia

Last Updated: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 22:41:00 +1000

Samoa's Ministry of Health says it is hopeful it will be able to prevent swine flu from spreading to the local population.

Two more cases of swine flu were confirmed Wednesday in Samoa, bringing the total known number to four.

However, all the detected cases have been found in people travelling to Samoa from New Zealand or Australia.

The head Samoa's Ministry of Health, Palanitina Toelupe, says they've stepped up controls at entry points.

More Australian Deaths

Meanwhile in Australia, health officials on Wednesday raised the number of confirmed swine flu deaths to nine, following the deaths of a 3-year-old boy and and a 68-year-old man.

The boy is the first child to die of swine flu in Australia.

Both deaths were in the state of Victoria.