RIO DE JANEIRO, Aug. 17 (Xinhua) -- The number of deaths from the A/H1N1 flu virus in Brazil has reached 342, local health authorities announced on Monday.

    According to the authorities, three new deaths were confirmed on Monday, with two in Rio de Janeiro state in the southeast and one in Santa Catarina state in the south. The victims were an adult male, a female and a seven-year-old boy.

    Sao Paulo state has the highest death toll so far with 134 victims. Parana state in the southern part of the country has 79 victims, followed by Rio Grande do Sul state with 70.

    Out of the 342 deaths, only six occurred outside the southern and southeastern regions, where the winter has more severe weather.

    The rising death toll has forced some public and private schools in several states to extend the winter vacation for one more month. Health authorities also urged patients with flu symptoms to go to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment, instead of taking medicine by themselves.

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