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A woman from medical service division distributes hand sanitizers to staff members at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Feb. 8, 2018. The medical service at the UN Headquarters in New York is distributing instant hand sanitizers to prevent flu among staff given the high prevalence of flu in New York City. (Xinhua/Ma Jianguo)

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- The medical service at the UN Headquarters in New York is distributing instant hand sanitizers to prevent flu among staff given the high prevalence of flu in New York City.

Also distributed is a flyer with information about flu.

Medical workers at UN Headquarters said they have prepared thousands of hand sanitizers for staff members working in the UN premises.

The medical service is taking preventive measures although there are no reports of severe flu cases among staff, they said.

They ask UN staff members to take precaution as they may get flu in commute or from going to crowds.

Flu is widespread in 48 states across the country, with 51.4 flu hospitalizations per 100,000 people and a total of 53 flu-associated pediatric deaths, according to reports from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).