New Zealand's first influenza A/H1N1-related death was confirmed on Saturday with the Ministry of Health reported three deaths linked to the virus.

The Chief Coroner has confirmed that two people have died, with their deaths linked to influenza A/H1N1. A 19 year-old man died on June 28 in North Island city of Hamilton. And A 42 year-old mandied on Thursday, July 2, in South Island city of Christchurch, with underlying medical conditions.

The Coroner considers it is strongly probable that the H1N1 virus was a major factor in the deaths of both men.

In the third case, Capital and Coast District Health Board has advised that a young girl, with underlying medical conditions, died on Saturday morning in Wellington Hospital. She had earlier tested positive to influenza A/H1N1.

(Xinhua News Agency July 4, 2009)