Mexico's new swine flu virus has killed up to 81 people while over 1,300 believed to have been infected, says Mexico's health minister.

"There have been 81 registered deaths which are probably linked to the virus, of which only 20 cases have virological checks," Jose Angel Cordova said late Saturday.

Earlier, the World Health Organization chief warned that the virus has the potential to become global pandemic.

Health authorities in the US have confirmed 11 cases of swine flu in Kansas, Texas and California. Eight suspected patients were also found in New York City.

Following the announcement of the outbreak, Colombian health authorities said it is closely monitoring the deadly virus.

Social Welfare Minister Diego Palacio said Saturday that health authorities have set up an emergency committee to fight the strain.

"The situation is serious and we should take every precaution. That's why as soon as we found out the virus was among us, we convened the emergency committee," Palacio was quoted as saying by AFP.

Swine Influenza (swine flu) caused by type A influenza, regularly leads to influenza outbreaks among pigs. The virus does not normally infect humans; however, studies have reported human infections and human-to-human spread of the disease.

The new strain is believed to be a recombinant between two older strains. There is no specific vaccine for the condition and health officials doubt the efficacy of the available human flu vaccines in protecting individuals against the new strain.

The health minister also announced that the school closures in Mexico City, neighboring Mexico state and the northern state of San Luis Potosi extended for more than 10 days till May 6.

Authorities have cancelled hundreds of public events in the capital to prevent further infections.

Earlier, Mexican President Felipe Calderon published an order giving his government extraordinary powers to tackle the deadly outbreak.

AGB/DT