WORLD> Europe
Italy confirms first A(H1N1) flu case
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-05-02 21:20

ROME -- Italy has confirmed its first A(H1N1) flu case, the ANSA news agency reported Saturday.

A patient treated at a local hospital in the central coastal city of Massa has tested positive for the A(H1N1) flu virus, said Antonio Delvino, a Tuscany health official.

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"The higher health institute has confirmed to us by telephone that the patient in hospital tested positive for swine flu," he was quoted as saying.

Earlier Saturday, the World Health Organisation said 15 countries have reported 615 infections with the new flu virus A(H1N1). Italy and its case were not included in the list.

Other European countries that have confirmed infections are Britain (13), Spain (13), Germany (4), Austria (1), Denmark (1), France (1),  Netherlands (1) and Switzerland (1).

Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak, now has 397 confirmed cases including 16 deaths, according to the WHO.

The United States, the second-most affected country, has 141 confirmed cases including one death, said the WHO.