First swine flue death in U.S.

Now it’s official: The swine flu has claimed its first life in the United State with the death of a 23-month old infant in Texas.

The Washington Post reports that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed the cause of death.

So far, the virus outbreak has been more severe in Mexico, where 159 have reportedly died. The swine flu has cropped up in several other countries around the world but has been not as fatal.

“We still do not have a good explanation for why the pattern of cases in other countries appear relatively mild while the pattern of cases in Mexico appear to be much more severe,” said Keiji Fukuda of the World Health Organization, according to the Post. “This will be the object of a great deal of research and attention, but at this time, we can’t say why there appears to be a difference.”

On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Times reported the deaths of two men in Los Angeles may have been caused by the virus. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s office said later that virus did not cause the deaths.

jeremy.jacobs@digital-stage.thehill.com