Greece is currently in the midst of an H1N1 epidemic that is likely to continue for several more weeks, Deputy Health Minister Michalis Timosidis said on Tuesday after news that the death toll as a result of the flu had risen to 17.
An additional two people died as a result of complications caused by an H1N1 virus infection since Monday evening, when the number of deaths stood at 15.
The minister said that health authorities were on alert and he described the measures taken to cope with the flu epidemic as adequate. He also urged members of the population at higher risk from flu to get vaccinated, even at this stage of the epidemic.
According to the Centre for the Control and Prevention of Diseases (KEELPNO) a total of 85 people have been admitted to intensive care units as a result of H1N1 since the start of the year, four more than on Monday, of which 45 remain in ICUs at present.
