Three Palestinian Authority Arabs have died as a result of contracting the H1N1 "swine flu" virus over the past three days, bringing the total number of H1N1 virus-related PA Arab deaths thus far to five, according to the PA Health Ministry in Ramallah. Officials said in a statement Monday that the three were residents of Ramallah, Bethlehem and Hevron, PA cities located in Samaria and Judea.

As'ad el-Ramlawi, PA head of emergency medical services, told reporters "The number of H1N1 casualties is expected to increase, especially in the fall and winter seasons."