Russia reports first swine flu deaths

CHITA - Two women diagnosed with swine flu have died in eastern Siberia’s Chita area, the regional governor’s press service said Tuesday.

“Two women are believed to have died of the influenza A/H1N1 virus,” the spokesman said, adding that official confirmation of the causes of death would only be available in 21 days.

One of the victims, a 29-year-old woman, was pregnant. Doctors were unable to save the baby.

An official said the woman was hospitalised with swine flu and pneumonia and died Oct 19, and the other victim, a 50-year-old patient, died in hospital Oct 22.

Gennady Onishchenko also said there were more than 1,300 confirmed swine flu cases across Russia as of Oct 26.

Russia plans to start a swine flu vaccination programme in December.