Saudi swine flu death toll reaches 6

Saudi Arabia has reported two more deaths from swine flu, taking the country's death toll to six, reported PressTV.

A 15-year-old Saudi citizen and a Sri Lankan man, 32, were the latest victims, the Saudi Health Ministry confirmed on Tuesday.

The Saudi teenager, who suffered from a heart defect, failed to respond to treatment and died in hospital, while the Sri Lankan was found dead in his hotel room on Monday.

Hundreds of thousands of Muslims from around the world will converge in Mecca and Medina in late August for the 'minor pilgrimage' - umrah hajj - intensifying the threat of the disease spreading.

Another two-million-plus pilgrims are expected for the main pilgrimage, tamattu hajj, which begins at the end of November.

On July 31, the Health Ministry said the total A(H1N1) flu infections had reached nearly 600 since May 27, and the government said it was doubling surveillance efforts as the peak season approaches.

Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have cancelled umrah hajj trips for Iranians in the month of Ramadan (Aug. 22 to Sept. 19) due to the increasing number of swine flu infections among returning pilgrims.