The flu epidemic sweeping Israel continued unabated, with all sections of the country equally hit, the Health Ministry reported Friday. It is difficult to ascertain how many persons are ill at any one time because flu is not one of the diseases that doctors are required to report to district health offices, But the sick funds reported that doctor’s house calls have increased by 10 to 12 times, and that they are having difficulties In coping with them as many physicians have themselves been taken Ill.
Most of the cases reported are of the comparative mild strain referred to as A-2, which becomes dangerous only when there are such complications as pneumonia, rheumatic fever, chronic disease or old age. A few cases appear to have been caused by a more virulent strain that has not yet been identified. Only when complications occur are patients hospitalized. Health Ministry officials estimate that tens of thousands of persons were ill from flu last week.
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