Mexico reports 500 more swine flu cases

Mexico's swine flu infections rose by more than 540 to 7,624, while the death toll remained at 113, the health ministry said.           

Mexico has seen a slow but steady trickle of confirmed deaths since swine flu was identified here in late April, while cases have continued to climb.           

"It's important to point out that there are very few recent cases," a statement said. Mexico has stressed that most new cases are confirmations of the A(H1N1) virus in people who were suspected of infection earlier in the outbreak.           

Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova maintained the country's swine flu alert after the World Health Organisation last week declared a worldwide pandemic.           

Mexico is struggling to recover after the flu outbreak shook its crisis-hit economy, prompting the departure of many tourists and business closures.           

Swine flu has infected nearly 40,000 people around the world in 89 countries and territories, causing 167 deaths since late March, the latest WHO data showed yesterday.