The number of deaths from influenza has increased rapidly this year in Brazil.<br />According to the Brazilian Health Ministry, there were 222 registered cases of deaths from influenza through May 25th.<br />More than half were caused by a new type of influenza, H1N1.<br />The total number of deaths is lower than the 335 deaths seen over the same period last year.<br />But deaths due to H1N1 have increased by 10 percent so far this year.<br />Most patients were reported in San Paulo.<br />H1N1 was first reported in Mexico in 2009 and has continued to spread widely since then.<br /><br />
