The probable death toll from swine flu in Mexico rose to 159, Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said late Tuesday.

"With the information available up to now, we can confirm that there are 159 deaths registered as suspect cases," he told reporters.

The number climbed from 152 announced earlier the day.

Meanwhile, Cordova said 2,498 suspected cases of swine flu have been reported, with 1,311 of the patients still in the hospital.

(Xinhua News Agency April 29, 2009)