In the United States, 29 children have died due to influenza infection in the country. Chief of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‚ Tom Frieden‚ in Washington said a flu epidemic gripping the nation is more severe than usual. He said 30 states and New York City are reporting high influenza rates. In New York‚ a state of emergency has been declared over the crisis. Frieden said more than five thousand people have required hospitalization to treat their flu symptoms.