ANKARA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- A total of 161 people died in Turkey from the A/H1N1 virus, according to a statement released Thursday by the Turkish Health Ministry on its Web site.

    The Health Ministry also announced that 243 people were hospitalized because of the virus, 70 were in intensive care and 32 were on life support.

    Ninety-two of the people who died in Turkey from the A/H1N1 flu had chronic illnesses.

    Health officials reiterated that the best way to get protected from the A/H1N1 flu was vaccination, adding that a mass vaccination program, covering people from 6 months old to 24 years old, was under way.

    The ministry also warned people to maintain hygiene and not to go to work or school if catched the flu.

    Turkey reported the first A/H1N1 flu case in May and the first death from the disease last month.

Special Report:  World Tackles A/H1N1 Flu