RABAT, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people have died of H1N1 flu in Morocco, Health Minister Anas Doukkali announced on Saturday.

Doukkali stressed at a press statement that the number of reported cases remains "normal" compared with previous years.

The H1N1 flu is also the dominant sub-type this year, with over 80 percent, according to the World Health Organization, he added.

He said that the health authorities are closely monitoring the epidemiological situation in the country.

He urged elderly people, children under five years, pregnant women and patients suffering from chronic diseases, to be cautious and get vaccinated against the flu.

The confirmation of the first death from the H1N1 virus on Monday has raised concern among the local people.

The minister said that the number of people going to hospitals slightly increased this week.