A Harvard University professor says H1N1 influenza, although more contagious, is no more fatal than the seasonal flu.

He said the fatality rate of influenza A could reach upwards of 0.045 percent, which is similar to or even lower than that of the seasonal flu.

He said the latest death rate among patients infected with the new flu is lower now than it was in May or in early August.

The fatality rate of seasonal flu is lower than one-tenth of a percent. Up to 500-thousand people die from seasonal flu every year.