VILNIUS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- 16 deaths from flu have been registered in Lithuania this season amid intensifying spread of flu epidemic, the country's Center for Communicable Diseases and AIDS (ULAC) confirmed on Friday.
In 9 days, the number of deaths from flu has doubled, reaching 16 this season, announced ULAC. Majority of flu victims in Lithuania were elder people and not vaccinated.
"Vaccination for particular flu season is the most effective prevention," said ULAC in the announcement.
This year Lithuania faces a heavier form of flu as compared to the previous flu seasons, doctors say. In recent days, the spread of flu epidemic has continued to intensify.
By Friday, 31 out of 60 municipalities in Lithuania, a small Baltic country with population of less than 3 million, have announced flu epidemic, showed data by ULAC. Flu epidemic has also covered capital Vilnius.
During the fifth week of the year, flu intensity has reached 179 cases per 10,000 residents, according to ULAC. Flu epidemic is announced when the number of flu cases per 10,000 residents a week exceeds 100.
