The afflicted region has been hit by drought

At least 12 villages in a region about 400 kilometres (250 miles) west of the capital, Kabul, have been affected.

Scurvy is caused by a lack of the essential nutrient, vitamin C, which is found in fresh fruit and vegetables.

It is rarely seen in countries where people are well-fed.

Deadly disease

There is added concern that some of the villagers may be suffering from Congo fever, an extremely contagious disease with a high mortality rate.

The deaths were first reported by a team from the relief agency Action Against Hunger.

The aid workers have been stranded in the province and one of them has developed symptoms.

According to a spokesperson from the WHO in Kabul, helicopters will be used to fly in medical supplies, including supplements of vitamin C.

The spokesperson said people were dying from what is normally a highly preventable disease - a message, she said, which the international community must focus its aid efforts on throughout Afghanistan.