A surge in seasonal flu cases in Greece is putting pressure on hospitals and sending large numbers of children to emergency departments, with several severe pediatric cases reported and doctors warning the outbreak is ongoing.

A 6-year-old girl remains intubated and is fighting for her life due to flu complications, while a 3-month-old infant is being treated in an intensive care unit at a children’s hospital in Athens. A 4-year-old girl was also admitted with severe symptoms but has since recovered and is out of danger.

Over the past weekend alone, about 1,000 children visited on-call pediatric hospitals in the greater Athens area, most suffering from flu or other viral infections.

Health experts say the flu and other seasonal viruses are still circulating widely, with hospitals across the country seeing both children and adults admitted for treatment.

According to the head of a regional medical association, flu cases in the community appear to be stabilizing this week, but hospitals are still recording around 600 new hospitalizations. Authorities have also reported six deaths from seasonal flu so far, while approximately 13 patients are currently intubated.

Pediatricians strongly recommend flu vaccination for children, even at this stage of the season, as the current wave is expected to last until early March.

Doctors say the main flu symptoms include high fever accompanied by chills, headache, joint pain, cough, sore throat, and severe fatigue. They advise seeking medical evaluation when symptoms persist or worsen.