“There are 20 patients visiting the hospital every day and most are children,” said one nurse.

Shortages of the medicine to treat the illness have allowed it to spread faster. Children under ten are most affected. Already 6 sick children this year have died.

“Infection is spreading faster than last year and most of the infected children are from remote areas,” the nurse said.

Although during the rainy season influenza is common in both Sagaing Region and Chin state the government isn’t taking preventive action to stop the spread of the illness.