国际英语新闻:Greece records 14 deaths from flu this winter, experts sound alarm

ATHENS, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen people have died of flu complications this winter in Greece, the Greek Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) said on Friday.

The victims were 58-91 years old with only three of them inoculated, according to KEELPNO experts.

The epidemiologists urge people, in particular patients suffering from chronic health issues, to get vaccinated.

Since October until Jan. 15, KEELPNO has recorded 90 serious cases of influenza. And 85 flu sufferers have been treated in intensive care units.

Epidemiologists sound the alarm, saying that Greece is now entering the main phase of influenza outbreak.

They also advise the public to take necessary precautionary measures to avoid contracting the virus.

According to KEELPNO, the flu virus that prevails this season is the type A (H3N2) virus that usually causes serious illness to the elderly.

Greece recorded 80 deaths from implications of flu virus strains in 2016 and more than 100 in 2015.