Argentina's health authorities say the number of deaths caused by Mexican flu or H1N1, has risen to 137. Argentina now has the second highest number of deaths in the Americas after the United States. The Argentina health authorities say that 3,056 people have been confirmed as having the virus. 

The announcement came as health ministers from six Latin American countries - Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay - prepared to meet in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires to discuss joint measures against Mexican flu. Brazil's Health Minister, José Gómes Temporao says "a comprehensive regional plan to tackle H1N1 is needed."

It is winter in the southern hemisphere and the H1N1 virus is spreading rapidly; the highest number of infections is in Chile - more than 10,000 cases and 33 deaths, followed by Mexico with 12,521 cases and 124 deaths. The United States - with 211 - still has the highest number of reported H1N1 deaths.

Measures to prevent the further spread of the disease vary widely; civil servants in Bolivia have been issued with surgical masks while Peru has brought school holidays forward by one week. Argentina has cancelled classes for schoolchildren as well as university students.

The World Health Organisation says the global death toll from H1N1 is now over 429, with a total of 94,500 infections reported worldwide.