A mild flu epidemic is underway in the Netherlands, with swine flu cases on the rise. Most people recover within a few days.
An epidemic is defined as more than 50 in 100,000 inhabitants reporting flu-like symptoms. The current rate is 76 out of 100,000. Flu cases are climbing across nearly all regions.
Similar increases are seen in Belgium and neighboring countries.
Children with the flu
General practitioners are particularly busy with small children suffering from flu. So far, no signs indicate this epidemic is more severe than in past years, though it started earlier than usual.
The death toll in the Netherlands has risen to six.
