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An Afghan street vendor sells masks at the main market in Kabul - Source: Reuters -
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The number of Afghans infected by the deadly H1N1 virus has more
than quadrupled in two days, a health ministry official said.
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 war-ravaged country where
illiteracy is high and health facilities are basic.
The government has enough vaccine on hand for 50,000 people, but
hoped to receive one million doses from the World Health
Organisation, Raaid said.
