Scotland has become the first country in Europe to report a death from the swine flu virus and officials are watching the other nine who are hospitalized.

"With regret, we can confirm that one of the patients who had been in hospital, and had been confirmed as suffering from the A(H1N1) virus, has died today," a statement issued by the Scottish government late Sunday, June 14, said. "The patient had underlying health conditions."

There are around 500 cases in Scotland and more than 1,250 in Britain as a whole.

No cause for panic, officials say

Scottish officials were quick to reassure people that there was no cause for panic and that the person who died had underlying health issues.

"Tragic though today's death is, I would like to emphasize that the vast majority of those who have H1N1 are suffering from relatively mild symptoms," said Scottish Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon in a statement.

"I would reiterate that the risk to the general public remains low and we can all play our part in slowing the spread of the virus by following simple hygiene procedures - like washing your hands and using tissues when coughing or sneezing," she added.

There have been approximately 145 deaths in the Americas, mostly in Mexico, where the disease was first reported, but deaths have been occured in the US and Canada as well.

Cases rise steeply in Germany

The latest report released on Friday from the World Health Organization puts the total number of reported cases at 29,669 in 74 countries.

In Germany, authorities say the number of swine flu cases at a Japanese school in Duesseldorf has risen to 84. According to the Robert Koch Institute, the new infections bring the total number of cases in Germany to 172.

Scientists are currently racing against the clock to develop a vaccine for the virus before winter sets in.

av/dpa/AP/AFP
Editor: Jennifer Abramsohn