New Delhi, Aug 27 - As swine flu claimed three more victims Thursday, taking the toll to 78, health officials said most of the deaths had occurred because the patients reported late for treatment.

'We had decided to do a limited analysis of death cases. So we collected case sheets of 30 random cases from seven affected states and did medical analysis on them. The prime reason for death is people coming late for treatment. The study has reasserted it,' said R.K. Srivastava, director general in the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Speaking to reporters here, Srivastava said the study also showed that most of those who had died were in the age group 14 to 44. 'Most of these deaths are in the young productive age,' he added.

He said three more deaths were reported Thursday, one each in Bangalore, Nashik and Pune. Meanwhile, 123 people tested positive for the Influenza A (H1N1) virus, taking the total number affected with the contagious disease to 3,396. The death toll has jumped to 78, he added.

Speaking about the study, he said: 'Most of the people who have died came late to the hospitals and died on the fifth day of treatment. The most common symptoms were excessive cough and breathlessness,' he added.