Thirty-three Iranians have so far died from swine flu and more than two thousand have been diagnosed with the illness, the reformist Etemad newspaper reported Sunday quoting the health ministry. "So far, 33 people have been reported dead from swine flu, while 2,153 have been diagnosed with this illness," the newspaper said.
Etemad also reported that 271 classrooms in various schools across Tehran were closed after reports that the A(H1N1) virus was spreading there. Iran reported its first swine flu death on August 26, that of a 36-year-old woman drug addict.
As a precaution Iran has placed restrictions on pilgrims planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for the annual Muslim hajj, that takes place later this month.
The economic daily, Doneyah e-Eqtesad, reported that according to the health ministry between five to eight percent of pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia will be infected by swine flu.