Dead patient tested positive for swine flu

A woman who died on Monday in the eastern province of Erzincan tested positive for the swine flu virus, medically known as H1N1, hospital officials have said.

According to Erzincan University Hospital officials on Friday, a 51-year-old woman checked into the hospital March 9 after complaining of a high fever and breathing difficulties.

The woman was taken to the hospital's intensive care unit but died on March 16 despite treatment.

At least 12 people have died from swine flu in Turkey since 2014.

On Tuesday, the Health Ministry ruled out a swine flu outbreak and predicted that the flu season would be over by the end of March.

Public hospitals have been provided with antiviral drugs to deal with various strains of the virus, which will be available to patients free of charge, a ministry official said.