The number of Afghans infected by the deadly swine flu virus has more than quadrupled in two days, a health ministry official said on Wednesday.

Seven more people have also been killed by the virus since the first death was recorded last week, public health ministry spokesman Farid Raaid said.

To curb the flu's spread, the government declared a health emergency on Monday and ordered all schools closed for three weeks as part of measures against the virus.

Some 350 positive cases of H1N1 -- 273 of which are among foreigners -- were recorded by Sunday, but the figure doubled to almost 700 by late Tuesday, Raaid said.

The government has launched a massive public awareness programme about taking preventative measures in the occupation-ravaged country.

The government has enough vaccine on hand for 50,000 people, but hoped to receive 1 million doses from the World Health Organisation, Raaid said.


Reuters