Mexico's Health Ministry raised to 75 the total number of confirmed dead with AH1N1 flu in a Wednesday statement that also raised the total confirmed infected to 3,892.

Seven of the deaths took place after April 23, the day when the government ordered all educational institutions from nursery to university across the nation to close, the most drastic measure taken against the disease. The death toll represents 1.9 percent of those infected.

Although the disease has been deadliest in Mexico, the United States continues to lead the number of infected, with 5,469 cases, the statement said. The World Health Organization reported 10,420 confirmed cases spread across 41 nations and said that six have now died in the United States. Canada and Costa Rica have also reported deaths.

Mexico began reopening education in stages two weeks ago, the day when Mexico City began reopening businesses like theaters, gymnasiums and nightclubs, that had been closed because they bring large numbers of people together.

The disease now appears to be spreading fastest in Japan, which confirmed flu infections of 210 up from just four a few days ago. That nation has followed Mexico in closed higher education in two regions.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2009)