Mexican health authorities confirmed four new A/H1N1 flu deaths on Thursday, bringing the total death toll to 146 in the country.

The country has reported a total of 16,442 infected cases so far. About 50 percent of the cases were found in five states -- Chiapas, Yucatan, Veracruz, Jalisco and Tabasco -- and Mexico City.

The number of confirmed cases in Chiapas, the worst-hit state, rose to 2,835 Thursday, followed by Yucatan with 2,440 infections. Mexico City, where the disease was first detected in April, reported 2,199 cases with 33 newly-found ones.

The ministry called on citizens with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough and headaches to see a doctor immediately.

The Americas is the worst-hit region by the disease with 87,965 infections including 707 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2009)