In the coming two or three weeks Bulgaria will experience a flu epidemic, representatives of the Health Ministry said during a forum of medical experts from Southeastern Europe.

Medics are discussing infectious diseases and especially bird flu, Novinar newspaper reported.

Shoumen and Smolyan are already experiencing a flu epidemic. Students in these cities will have flu vacation until the end of the week. In one week, the rate of respiratory infections rose to 219 cases per 10 000 people.

Increased infection rates have been registered in Vidin and Sofia, as well. The number of cases in the capital still does not near epidemic values.

Experts also discussed bird flu infections. They said the virus continues affecting mainly animals and the task of medics would be to prevent its spread among humans. So far human infections occur only through the direct contact with sick birds.