A flu outbreak became widespread in some country regions this week. The most affected areas were Varna, Kurdzhali, Haskovo, Harmanli, Svilengrad, Mineralni Bani, Razgrad, Kubrat, Kotel and Smolian.

"The group most infected with the flu are small children from four to seven years old. We estimate that the average infection rate of the flu was 247 people in 10,000 for children of that age, living in those regions. The average rate of flu infection among children from eight to 18-years-old was 199 in 10,000. General average cases for the country are 88 in 10,000," announced the press-centre of the Health Ministry on Wednesday.

Dr Ruzha Marinova, director of the epidemiology section at Hygiene-Epidemical Inspectorate (HEI) announced Tuesday that the flu outbreak in Razgrad had reached enormous dimensions. Over the last week, cases of infection increased nearly two and a half times. At present, 138 people in 10,000 were seriously infected. "Flu outbreak is present also in the Kubrat region, and we are trying to present sufficient measures to fight it," Marinova added.

On Tuesday, HEI-Haskovo insisted that the educational inspectorate cancel school from February 6-12. It also provided measures to prevent further infections. Among these actions was the decision to ban visitors from entering the children and women's sections of the hospital.

Another region suffering from a flu outbreak was Kurdzhali. Medical staff of Atanas Dafovski hospital did not perform operations on their patients. It was also completely forbidden for people to visit patients at the hospital. Medical personnel in the emergency room were prepared for only the most serious cases. The report from the health centre in Kurdzhali explained that 209 people were infected with flu. Once again, the largest group of infected people was children.