Flu epidemic in Russia’s north

A flu epidemic has been announced in the Murmansk Region, in Russia’s European north – the respective statement was issued by the region’s commission for combating infection on Thursday. 11,000 cases of flu and cold were recorded over the past week in the region, deputy chairman of the regional committee of health Arkadi Rubin is reported as saying by RIA Novosti. The epidemiological threshold has been exceeded by 30% in the region. Viruses of the “Moscow,” “Beijing,” and “New Caledonia” types are said to likely prevail this year. To stop the epidemic, quarantine has been announced at schools. Large-scale events have been banned and visits to hospitals are prohibited.