Quito, Sep 8 (EFE) The head of the Ecuadorian presidential security service has died of swine flu after battling with the disease for nearly a month, officials said Monday.

Col. John Merino was admitted to Quito Military Hospital Aug 10, with complications from the influenza A (H1N1) virus, also called swine flu. He died Sunday.

'The security chief was a man who worked tirelessly for the national government,' President Rafael Correa said in a statement.

Till date, 45 five people have died of swine flu and over 900 people affected by the virus in Ecuador, according to the health ministry.