Costa Rica reports second flu death

The flu virus that´s claimed 311 lives worldwide played a hand in the death of a 35-year-old woman from San José Sunday.

The woman had a severe case of pneumonia, health officials reported, and it was only after she died that the strain was detected.

“We haven´t identified any source,” said Daniel Salas, spokesman and doctor at the Health Ministry. “ We are currently investigating where the strain could have come from.”

Costa Rica has 210 confirmed cases and two deaths, according to the latest numbers from the Health Ministry. In mid-May, a 53-year-old man from Heredia, north of San José, died of several health complications, the Influenza A(H1N1) virus among them.

Symptoms are very similar to the normal flu and can range from a mere stuffy nose to a combination of fatigue, high fever and body aches.

According to recent numbers from the World Health Organization (WHO), there are 70,893 cases worldwide. The WHO currently considers the situation a pandemic.

Health officials are advising frequent hand washing, among other sanitary measures. They are encouraging anyone who may have been in contact with the virus and who is exhibiting symptoms to visit the closest medical facility.