Spain notes flu outbreak

MADRID, Jan. 18 (UPI) -- An influenza outbreak has been reported in Spain, where officials said 239 people have been hospitalized, many with H1N1, the strain known as bird flu.

Eleven people have died since the start of flu season in October in the country, ThinkSpain reported. The most serious case was in Aragon, where 26 people contracted H1N1 resulting in one death.

Health officials said fatalities thus far have been limited to the elderly, children or people with chronic medical conditions. Officials urged at-risk populations -- including seniors, the young and people who work with either -- to get a flu vaccination.

Of those hospitalized, nearly seven in 10 cases lead to pneumonia and many require intensive care to recover.