Influenza A/H1N1-related death cases rise to 16 in New Zealand

WELLINGTON, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A woman who died in an Auckland hospital last week has been confirmed as New Zealand's 16th influenza A/H1N1 victim, the Ministry of Health said on Monday.

The ministry said although the woman had suffered underlying medical conditions, her case would be counted among those where the H1N1 virus was deemed the primary cause of death.

There were other deaths also under investigation by the coroner, the ministry said.

More than 3,000 people have tested positive for influenza A/H1N1, but the number of those infected is much higher as most people do not require medical treatment.