ATHENS, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- A total of 42 people died of flu in Greece since the start of the past winter, Greek authorities announced on Wednesday.

According to the latest data from the Greek Center for Disease Control and Prevention (KEELPNO), a total of 108 people have been hospitalized in intensive care units since the start of the flu season and 35 people are still under monitoring.

KEELPNO experts have advised the public to be extra cautious and take preventive measures to avoid infection, because one of the virus strains spreading in the country was mutated and not covered by the flu vaccine.

In 2014, a total of 329 flu patients were treated in intensive care units in Greece and 145 of them died.