Ramallah - The first Palestinian died of swine flu in the West Bank Friday afternoon, a senior Palestinian official said.

Dr. Fathi Abu Mghalli, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) Minister of Health, said in a statement sent to reporters the victim was a resident of the Ramallah area.

Abu Mghali said the patient had recently returned from Saudi Arabia through Jordan with a severe lung infection and had been admitted in critical condition to Ramallah hospital.

He had received treatment in Jordan, which was resumed in Ramallah on his return.

All symptoms indicated infection with the A/H1N1 virus, he said, which was later confirmed.

He called on Palestinians in the West Bank who plan to travel to Saudi Arabia for the Omra, or religious prayers in Mecca during the holy month of Ramadan, to postpone their journey.

More than 80 Palestinians have contracted the A/H1N1 virus, Abu Mghalli said, adding that most were treated and released from hospital.(dpa)