MEXICO CITY – Mexico's' health department says the number of suspected swine flu deaths has risen to 159, with the virus confirmed as the cause of death in 26 of those cases.

Health Secretary Jose Cordova says 2,498 suspected cases of swine flu have been reported, with 1,311 of the patients still in the hospital.

Cordova said Tuesday the "the numbers of deaths has remained more or less stable."

The previous figures were 152 suspected deaths and about 2,000 suspected cases.

Cordova said ...