Nov 16, 2009, 13:45 GMT
Tunis - Two Tunisian men weakened by other illnesses have died of swine flu, the country's first fatalities related to the A(H1N1) virus, the Tunisian health ministry announced Monday.
The two victims, aged 37 and 40, passed away in hospital at the weekend. One of the men was ill with hepatitis while the other was suffering from serious cardiac problems, the ministry said.
Tunisia has reported 210 incidents of swine flu, with cases appearing in most parts of the country.
The government decided earlier this autumn to ban all its citizens from traveling to the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as hajj and which is one of the primary tenants of Islam, fearing an uncontrolled spread of the virus.
The French embassy last week closed its school in Tunis, after an outbreak of the virus, in what was said to be a temporary measure.
Health professionals and some security forces have started to receive vaccinations, with government plans to also give jabs to people with chronic diseases.
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