PRAGUE, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- Czech Republic is now facing a large-scale influenza epidemic as the number of patients this week increased by 18.5 percent over that of last week, the country's health ministry said Friday.

Statistics from the ministry show that this week, the total illness of acute respiratory infections, including influenza, stood at 1,715 patients per 100,000 inhabitants.

"The latest data from the State Institute of Health confirm that a large-scale influenza epidemic is occurring throughout the Czech Republic. The type A influenza virus is primarily circulating," said Eva Gottvald, the country's Chief Hygiene Officer.

The rise was recorded in all age groups -- the highest in pre-school children, and in all regions of the country, Gottvald said.

People are recommended to avoid crowded places and observe basic hygiene rules, such as washing hands after using public transport.

The National Reference Laboratory for Influenza and the infectious diseases epidemiology department of the State Health Institute in cooperation with regional hygienic stations will continue to monitor the development of morbidity, said the health ministry. Enditem

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