TORONTO - Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, has confirmed that a person with H1N1 flu virus has died. A 44-year old Toronto man with a chronic pre-existing medical condition passed away on May 23rd. On May 24th laboratory testing confirmed a positive test for H1N1 in this individual. It is not clear what role the H1N1 virus played in the fatality which is now under investigation by the Office of the Chief Coroner.

Dr. Williams also reported that there are 58 new confirmed cases of H1N1 flu virus since May 22, bringing the total number of cases in Ontario to 352. Two people, who have the H1N1 flu virus, are in hospital with a number of underlying medical conditions.

The Ontario cases involve 172 males and 178 females (the gender of two cases is unknown) with an age range of under 1 to 69. The breakdown by health unit is as follows:

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Health Unit New Confirmed Cases Total Confirmed Cases
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Toronto 32 156
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York Region 11 54
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Peel Region 7 47
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Halton 6 44
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City of Ottawa 13
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Durham Region 1 11
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Windsor Essex 5
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Simcoe Muskoka District 5
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Hamilton 1 4
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Sudbury and District 3
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Waterloo Region 2
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Wellington Dufferin Guelph 2
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Oxford County 1
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Leeds, Grenville & Lanark 1
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Middlesex-London 1
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Hastings and Prince Edward Counties 1
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Out of province(*) 2
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TOTAL 58 352
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(*) - Visitors who were tested and confirmed in Ontario but do not reside in the province.

"I want to express my sympathy to the family at this difficult time. Ontario's public health system continues to remain vigilant regarding any cases of H1N1." - David Caplan, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care.

"Ontarians should continue to protect themselves and those around them by washing hands frequently, coughing or sneezing into your sleeve, and staying at home if you're sick." - Dr. David Williams, Ontario's Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health.

- Symptoms of the H1N1 flu virus are similar to seasonal influenza (flu) including, chills and cough followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and throat irritation. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may occur in adults as well as in children. In more severe cases, or in people with chronic conditions, complications such as pneumonia may develop.

- People who have symptoms of respiratory illness should contact their health care provider or call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000.

- For general information on the H1N1 flu virus, call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-800-476-9708 or visit the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care website