Italy reports 500,000 people battling the flu over the holiday week
A report in the Italian news source, AGI, has the headline (computer translated): “Influenza: half a million Italians in bed for the holidays”. According to the report, “There are about 500,000 Italians stuck in bed with the virus between Christmas and New Year, with 150,000 new cases last week, according to data posted at the Higher Institute of Health ‘by doctors’ sentinel'”
Image/CIA
Fabrizio Pregliasco, a virologist with the University of Milan notes that they are in a “phase of ascent”. Pregliasco says this is just the beginning. “The real boom there will be in the middle January to early February, when the three influenza virus hit the beautiful country in the heart of winter ”
The 500,000 count is just an estimate based on a trend, the real numbers will be released next week.
The virologist advises to “beware of seasons greetings”, noting that hugs and kisses can turn into ‘evil’ vehicles of transmission of the virus. In addition, he advises the public to wash their hands often.
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