Five dead from the swine flu virus in Trinidad and Tobago

Five Trinidadian nationals have died from the Influenza A/H1N1 or swine flu virus since last Wednesday, health officials confirmed on Friday.

Five Trinidadian nationals have died from the Influenza A/H1N1 or swine flu virus since last Wednesday, health officials confirmed on Friday.

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"Since Wednesday, we have lost three more persons, whose tests are positive for the H1N1 virus. That would be a total of 5 persons," a senior health official told members of the media.

Trinidad and Tobago recorded its first two deaths from the H1N1 on Wednesday, just six weeks before the country is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting at the end of November.

All five died at one hospital, but health officials said one of the deaths were a result of the seasonal influenza. Confirmatory test results are still pending on the death of another woman.

Two other victims are listed in critical condition at the same health institution, however confirmatory test results are also still pending.

Health officials have confirmed there is a deadly strain of the virus in the country.

"There is also a critical presentation, where people coming in with respiratory problems, particularly shortness of breath and inability to breathe."

Patients have also suffered with vomiting and body pains.

There are currently 163 laboratory confirmed cases of the H1N1 in trinidad and Tobago.