C O L U M N S

NEW DELHI: More than 500 people have died from swine flu in India since the first fatality was reported in August, the health ministry said Monday.

The western state of Maharashtra has seen the largest number, with 207 deaths from the influenza A (H1N1) virus, the ministry said in a statement.

Besides the 502 deaths, more than 14,000 people have tested positive for swine flu across India since it was first detected here in May, it added.

More than 5,700 people have died worldwide since the virus was first discovered in April, with most of the deaths in the Americas region, according to the World Health Organization.