Swine flu toll climbs by around 500

The number of fatalities remains the highest in the Americas, where 4,806 deaths have been recorded.

Around 6,750 people have died from the swine flu pandemic, World Health Organisation data showed Friday, about 500 more than a week ago.

Data posted a week ago showed that 6,250 people have died from the A(H1N1) virus since it was first uncovered in April.

The number of fatalities remains the highest in the Americas, where 4,806 deaths have been recorded.

The Asia-Pacific region posted 1,323 deaths, while in Europe, at least 350 people have succumbed to pandemic flu.

Since the previous update, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Slovenia have reported their first deaths from swine flu.