The H1N1 swine flu pandemic claimed its third victim Wednesday as Nagoya health authorities confirmed that an 81-year-old woman from the city died early in the morning.

Separately, at least five children hit by the new influenza, in Okinawa and Kumamoto prefectures and Kawasaki, were in serious condition and four were on artificial respirators as of Wednesday evening, local governments said.

The latest death prompted health minister Yoichi Masuzoe to warn that the H1N1 flu pandemic, or "shingata infuruenza" (new-type influenza), may be back with a vengeance.