by Maria Spiliopoulou
ATHENS, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Five patients died within the past week from complications after contracting the seasonal flu virus, while the measles epidemic also continues, the Greek Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO) announced on Thursday.
The five victims, as well as a 79-year-old man who was the first recorded victim of influenza in Greece this season in November, had not been vaccinated, although five of them were in a population segment at high risk of flu complications, according to the KEELPNO press statement.
In the previous flu season from December 2016 to June 2017, 108 people died of flu complications in Greece, according to the official data.
KEELPNO experts urged Greeks, in particular patients suffering from chronic health issues, to get inoculated against the flu as well as the measles.
Within the past week, 100 new cases of measles were recorded, bringing the total number of cases confirmed since last year to 1,362, KEELPNO said in a separate press announcement on Thursday.
Most cases, as well as the two casualties so far, concerned Greek Roma children, the center noted. Many cases also concerned Greeks aged 25 to 44, who were not properly immunized against measles, KEELPNO scientists added.
