Moldova Reports First Swine Flu Death

The man, who arrived from Poland on October 10, was diagnosed as having contracted the virus on October 20, and died on October 23, the ministry said in a statement.

The number of A/H1N1 infections registered in the country so far totals 16, the ministry said.

The A/H1N1 influenza, popularly known as swine flu, can be deadly to humans. The disease is easily transmitted through coughing or sneezing but cannot be contracted through consumption of thermally processed pork meat. Its symptoms are similar to those of the common flu.