Ecuador: President's security chief dies of swine flu

Ecuadorian president Rafael Correa’s chief of security has died of swine flu, the government said today.

The online government publication El Ciudadano said air force Lt Col John Merino died yesterday after being in hospital for 28 days.

El Ciudadano cited as its source Francisco Torres, the doctor for the office of the presidency.

The publication said Mr Correa expressed his condolences to Lt Col Merino’s family at the military hospital where he died.

Ecuador has reported 36 confirmed deaths from swine flu as of last week, along with 1,382 infected.