New York - Two more people have died from the H1N1 flu in New York City, bringing the city's toll to seven from the new virus that has infected thousands of people worldwide, health department officials said on Wednesday.

The New York City Health Department would provide no details, but did say the victims were in the 25-64 age range.

New York City has had 553 confirmed cases so far, including 341 hospitalizations.

The virus, also known as the swine flu, is a mixture of swine, bird and human viruses and remains most prevalent in North America, but has infected nearly 19,000 people in 64 countries, according to the U.N. World Health Organization.

The first outbreak of the H1N1 virus hit Mexico in April.

(Reporting by Jui Chakravorty; Editing by Michelle Nichols)

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