Sofia - Bulgarian health authorities on Wednesday reported the country's first death from swine flu, after a 30-year old man succumbed to the illness.

The man from the town of Samokov, 50 kilometres south of Sofia, showed symptoms of the flu on September 19 and was transferred to a clinic in the capital on September 23. His condition, complicated by pneumonia, then deteriorated.

Not including the fatality, there are 78 registered cases of H1N1 in Bulgaria. According to official statements, all of these patients are doing well. (dpa)