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12 fatalities due to flu epidemic outbreak in Greece

21 February 2013 23:39 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. The influenza virus has caused 12 fatalities in Greece so far this winter, the Greek Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced on Thursday, APA reports.

Until Jan. 20, Greek health authorities also recorded 42 severe cases of influenza.

The majority of the cases have been infected by type A flu and specifically by the H1N1 flu strain which had caused concern worldwide in 2009.

In addition, even though the patients belong to high-risk health groups, they had not been vaccinated. Health officials note that the flu epidemic will continue to develop over the next weeks, so it is expected a rise in the number of severe cases.

"The contagion of the virus is expanding due to the low temperatures. Everyone, especially the most vulnerable, should be very careful and follow precaution measures," the Greek health agency said.