India swine flu toll rises to 36

There are more than 2,400 cases of the H1N1 flu strain in India

The number of people to die of swine flu in India has risen to 36 with the first deaths in the capital, Delhi, health officials say.

Two patients, a 38-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, died in a hospital in Delhi on Thursday, officials say.

Deaths have now been reported in eight Indian cities, with the death toll highest in the city of Pune.

There are more than 2,400 cases of the H1N1 cases in India. Some schools have closed temporarily because of the flu.

Earlier this month schools, colleges and cinemas in Mumbai were temporarily closed because of fears about the spread of flu.

The virus is thought to have killed more than 1,200 people around the world.

The swine flu (H1N1) virus first emerged in Mexico in April and has since spread to many countries.

Many of India's confirmed cases of swine flu have been among people who have returned from overseas travel.

Passenger screening has been introduced across India's main 22 international airports.