The two most recent Hawai'i deaths related to H1N1, or swine flu, were men with underlying medical conditions that contributed to their demise, the state Department of Health said yesterday.

The men, one in his 20s and the other in his 30s, died last week, said Janice Okubo, state DOH spokeswoman. The man in his 20s died July 21 at his home; the man in his 30s died July 22 at a hospital.

Their deaths, both on O'ahu, bring to six the number of people diagnosed with swine flu who have died since the illness broke out here some three months ago.

The first cases were confirmed on May 5. All six H1N1-related deaths in Hawai'i have involved people with other health problems. The first reported swine flu-related death in Hawai'i happened June 19.

"Influenza can be a serious and fatal illness for those with chronic conditions and weakened immune systems," said DOH director Dr. Chiyome Fukino, in a prepared statement.

At the moment, the DOH is not releasing the ethnicity of those who have died from the flu, Okubo said, because there are so few cases.

Nationwide, there have been 302 deaths where the H1N1 flu was identified as a contributing factor for patients who had conditions such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, obesity and were smokers.

Health officials strongly recommend that people with flu symptoms should stay home from work or school, to avoid spreading the disease, whether it's seasonal or swine flu.