US toddler becomes first fatal swine flu victim outside Mexico

The first swine flu death outside Mexico was confirmed today by US health officials as a 23-month old child in Texas.

The death was confirmed by Dr Richard Besser, acting director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. He did not give any further details about the victim.

In addition, Austria's health ministry today confirmed the country's first case of swine flu.

It said a 28-year-old woman had contracted the virus but she is recovering.

The woman recently returned from a trip to Guatemala via Mexico City.

Countries that have now reported confirmed cases are: Britain, Spain Germany, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, the US, Austria and Canada.