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A swine flu outbreak in Iran has taken 112 lives so far since mid-November, the country's media reported on Monday. The deaths have mainly been concentrated in southeastern Iran but authorities did warn at the beginning of the month that the swine flu could travel to Tehran and northern provinces.

According to the state news agency, IRNA, a total of 1,190 people were hospitalized and diagnosed with the H1N1 virus. The head of the ministry's communicable diseases department, Mohammad Mehdi Gouya, reassured people that they have the outbreak "under control." He stated that the cases are stemming from a "first and more serious wave" that should be on the decline. They are expecting the number of cases to drop significantly very soon.

He added that the country has the means to detect and treat the illness.

"Vaccines and laboratory equipment for diagnosis are available around the clock across the country," he said reported by the Medical Xpress.

The swine flu is a respiratory infection that is caused by an influenza strain first found in pigs. The infection can spread very easily via coughing, sneezing, coming into contact with contaminated surfaces, or kissing/sharing saliva.

Symptoms of an infection include fever, chills, sore throat, cough and body aches. The condition is treatable with rest, fluids and painkillers.

In June 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) issues a pandemic alert for the H1N1 outbreak. The virus had killed about 18,500 people from 214 countries. The alert was lifted the following year in August.