Panaji, Aug 22 (IANS) In the first case of its kind in the state, Goa Saturday reported a suspected swine flu death when a 67-year-old with influenza H1N1 symptoms died, health department officials said.

The patient died at a private hospital on the outskirts of the state capital in the morning. His throat swabs have been sent to the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in New Delhi for a swine flu test, officials said.

The patient had arrived in Goa from Bangalore a few days ago and had admitted himself to the Manipal Hospital Friday after he felt uneasy and had high fever.

He was diagnosed for bronco pneumonia and was also suffering from diabetes. His conditioned worsened at night, after which he was put on ventilator, officials said.

Health department officials said they are closely monitoring the swine flu situation in the state.

"We are keeping a close watch. It is still a suspected swine flu death. We will be in a position to confirm only after we receive test reports from Delhi," officials said.