CHENNAI, India (Reuters) - India's women's field hockey team have cancelled their tour of Canada this month because of fears over the H1N1 influenza outbreak.

India were to play a set of exhibition and test matches against Canada in Surrey, Canada, from May 26 to June 4 but decided against touring following sports ministry advice not to visit countries where cases of the flu have been found.

"I am disappointed that this series has been cancelled because these matches would have been very valuable for both our national and developmental teams but I understand India's position," Canada's head coach Louis Mendonca told the International Hockey Federation (FIH) website (www.fihockey.org).

On Wednesday, the Japan Football Association cancelled the scheduled tour of North America by their women's team because of the virus.

The World Health Organisation has confirmed more than 4,000 infections of the new flu strain. The worst-hit region is North America, with 60 deaths. The U.S. alone has 2,600 cases.