The number of deaths from Influenza A/H1N1 in New Zealand rose to 11 on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health said.

The latest death was a child who had underlying medical conditions and died within the past week.

There were a total of 2,443 confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1in New Zealand on Tuesday, up from 2,368 on Monday.

But the actual number of confirmed cases will be significantly higher, as only a small proportion of people with symptoms are being tested.

There are 74 people in hospital with influenza A/H1N1, 26 of whom are in intensive care. Half of those in intensive care are in hospitals in Auckland.

The New Zealand government said Influenza A/H1N1 has not yet peaked and health services remain under pressure.

The health authorities said they were prepared for a possible increase in flu cases which the Health Ministry said could happen as a result of children returning to school from holidays this week.

(Xinhua News Agency July 21, 2009)