Flu pandemic spread, New York announced an emergency medical condition

The State of New York in the United States on January 13 announced an emergency medical condition, in a latest effort to fight the country's pandemic flu and threatening Canada.

>>>Outbreaks of dangerous flu in America

America is in the worst flu epidemic in years.

Executive law orders allow pharmacists to give flu shots to individuals under 18 years of age, paving the way for vaccinations for children 6 months and older. Mayor Boston announced the same decision earlier in the week and asked people to vaccinate for the flu virus.

The moves were taken after the US health officials struggled to fend off a widespread outbreak of flu in 47 of the 50 states in the United States that killed at least 20 children. In New York state alone, this season has more than 20,000 cases of influenza.

This year's flu season begins earlier than usual and many cases of H3N2 infection, which causes serious complications.

Canadian media quoted health officials as saying almost 4,000 cases of influenza were confirmed in seven provinces last week, occurring in long-term care facilities.

Flu symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough, itchy body and fatigue. Some cases of vomiting, diarrhea or development of pneumonia. But many cases were mild.