Brazil's health authorities announced 10 more deaths from A/H1N1 flu on Tuesday, raising the death toll in the country to 56.

Seven of the victims were from Sao Paulo state in southeastern Brazil, while the other three were from Rio Grande do Sul state in the south of the country.

Earlier on Tuesday, the authorities announced the death of a man in Paraiba state in northeastern Brazil.

Sao Paulo state has the highest death toll in the country with 27victims so far, followed by Rio Grande do Sul state with 19, Rio de Janeiro state with five, Parana state with four and Paraiba state with one.

Many of the victims had chronic health problems which complicated their conditions, the authorities said. There were seven pregnant women and six children among the victims.

Public activities have been suspended in several places in the country, while five towns in Rio Grande do Sul State have declared state of emergency. Schools in several places have either suspended classes or extended the winter vacations.

The Brazilian Health Ministry said there are 1,566 confirmed cases of A/H1N1 flu in the country, as well as 8,328 suspected cases.

(Xinhua News Agency July 29, 2009)