The man, who is not being identified, died Wednesday. He had already been hospitalized for other health problems, according to the public health department.

The first death in the county associated to swine flu was reported June 9 and also involved a middle-aged man with pre-existing health problems. There has been one other death in the Bay Area related to swine flu, of a Concord girl who died May 29.

As of today, Alameda County has reported 59 confirmed or probable cases of the swine flu - known as influenza Type A, subtype.

More than 13,000 people have been infected in the United States - including at least 27 deaths - and there have been nearly 30,000 cases worldwide, in 74 countries, although public health experts note those are only reported cases and the actual numbers are certainly much higher.

Earlier today, the World Health Organization raised its alert level on the swine flu and declared it a pandemic.