Sofia schools will suspend all classes as of November 9 2009. Should the situation deteriorate, there is a possibility for the suspension to be extended, the Bulgarian National Television (BNT) said on November 9.

Kindergartens, however, will not shut down altogether, but will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Universities have to decide for themselves whether to suspend classes. The University in Shoumen will close doors until November 14.

Sofia University, however, will not close doors and lectures will be conducted as usual. Later on November 9 a decision will be taken whether to have other universities around the country close temporarily.

"The H1N1 strain will be active in Bulgaria for about two years, after which it will appear more progressively as regular seasonal flu," said Angel Gulubov, director of the microbiology institute in the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, for Dnevnik daily.

During a flu pandemic, authorities expect as many as 30 per cent of the total population to be affected ultimately, with those exposed to the highest risk being pregnant women and people who suffer from chronic ailments. With the combination of parallel ailments, the virus could cause meningitis, pneumonia or bronchitis, experts say.

Doctors advise people not to take unnecessary risks by attending social events or making contact with people who are ill. The latest figures from the Health Ministry showed that about 150 000 Bulgarians are ill, the vast majority of them with the H1N1 strain and not seasonal flu.