H1N1 FLU: 19TH VICTIM A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

H1N1 FLU: 19TH VICTIM A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL

(ANSA) - Rome, November 4 - Italy's death toll from the H1N1 flu virus rose to 19 on Wednesday when a 13-year-old girl died in a Monza hospital.

Doctors said the girl had congenital lung disease aggravated by a flu virus infection.

Yesterday, Junior Health Minister Ferruccio Fazio attempted to assuage fears created by the flu's first child victims in Italy, saying children were no more vulnerable to the virus than adults.

Three children with the virus have died this week, two of which had pre-existing health problems.

Last weekend, an apparently healthy 12-year-old girl from the Naples suburb of Pompei died of the flu 48 hours after coming down with symptoms, prompting an official investigation.

The Italian health ministry estimates 250,000 cases of the flu in Italy so far, infecting 3.8 Italians per 1,000.