GUATEMALA CITY -- A 35-year-old man has become Guatemala's first government-confirmed swine flu fatality, health officials said Thursday.

"He appears to be the first victim of the A(H1N1) flu virus," said Health Minister Celzo Cerezo.

The official announcement came two weeks after the death of a child who had contracted the virus but also suffered other health problems.

"A minor who was also contaminated with the virus died previously, but his death was caused by renal failure, according to the report issued by the private clinic where he was treated," Cerezo said at a press conference Thursday.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded the 12-year-old's death as Guatemala's first fatality from swine flu, despite the government's position.

The Health Ministry said the 35-year-old man did not respond to antiviral treatment because he was diagnosed with swine flu in its late stages.

Guatemala, which has so far confirmed 254 cases of swine flu, shares a border with Mexico, where the global pandemic began. Cases of swine flu peaked in Mexico in April, but the virus has continued to spread worldwide.

Figures issued by the WHO on Wednesday showed 55,867 laboratory-confirmed cases of the A(H1N1) virus in 109 countries and territories.

The global health organization, which declared the outbreak a level 6 pandemic earlier this month, said 238 people have died from the virus.