Flu deaths climb past 2,800

		Mr Hartl said the increase in the number of deaths is due to the overall rise in the number of people who have caught the A(H1N1) virus, and not because of the virus becoming more virulent. -- PHOTO: AFP

GENEVA - THE World Health Organisation said on Friday that at least 2,837 people had died from swine flu virus infections.

'There are now at least 2,837 deaths attributable to pandemic H1N1,' said Gregory Hartl, spokesman for the UN health agency.

The data mark an increase of 652 deaths from the last toll of 2,185 published a week ago.

Mr Hartl said the increase in the number of deaths is due to the overall rise in the number of people who have caught the A(H1N1) virus, and not because of the virus becoming more virulent.

'In the sense of the virus having become more severe, no. It is just that the volume of cases is increasing,' said Mr Hartl. -- AFP
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