Saudi Health Ministry Monday reported the first death of influenza A/H1N1 in the kingdom, the second death case in the Middle East region.

The 30-year-old man was taken to a private hospital Wednesday in Dammam in eastern part of the oil-rich country and died on Saturday, the ministry said.

Egypt confirmed on July 19 the first influenza A/H1N1 death, an28-year-old Egyptian woman who came back from Saudi Arabia after making Umrah (pilgrimage to Mecca at any time of the year).

In Israel, the Health Ministry is investigating whether the recent deaths of a 34-year-old man and a toddler were caused by the A/H1N1 flu.

So far, the novel flu virus has caused more than 135,000 infections in over 160 countries and regions, with about 800 people died after being infected by the disease worldwide, according to latest figures released by the World Health Organization, which formally announced on June 11 the first pandemic in the 21st century.

(Xinhua News Agency July 27, 2009)