Findings in a recent study have proposed that official figures related to deaths encountered due to outbreak of 2009 H1N1 swine flu are yet to be determined. It has been claimed that the actual figures might be almost 15 times more than those estimated by laboratory testing and those released by World Health Organization (WHO).

It was estimated that during the period of outbreak of the H1N1 virus between April 2009 and August 2009, a total of 18,500 deaths were confirmed after laboratory testing around the world.

However, statistical reports put forth by a team of international researchers claim that the actual figures were between 105,700 and 295,600. They asserted that these figures were administered due to respiratory illness related to the epidemic.

Another, 151,700-575,400 deaths of people aged above 17 years were encountered in the period, which were due to cardiovascular conditions, which were even related to the epidemic.

It was emphasized that the age groups to be most affected by the outbreak were between 18-years and 64 years. Most of the deaths were administered in this age group.

However, WHO said, "The actual number of deaths worldwide as a result of the pandemic remains unknown as many countries did not record the H1N1 flu virus as a direct cause of death".