Indian dies of swine flu in Saudi Arabia

DUBAI: An Indian expatriate was among three persons who became the latest victims of swine flu in Saudi Arabia, taking the death toll from the disease to 14 in the country.

Three new deaths attributed to swine flu were reported "in different parts of the Kingdom" bringing the toll in Saudi Arabia to 14, the Ministry of Health announced yesterday.

The Indian man died of the disease on Thursday. "The first two cases are Saudis, one a woman of 28 and the other a girl of 11. Both died on Friday while the third case was an Indian who died a day earlier," the ministry said, according to Arab News.

The ministry said the intensity of the H1N1 virus in the country was still "mild" with most infected people recovering.

The government has issued an advisory to citizens on avoiding crowds, covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and seeking medical attention quickly after flu symptoms arise.

Saudi Arabia has also stepped up precautionary measures and surveillance ahead of Ramadan, when thousands of people arrive in Mecca on a pilgrimage.