Former Vice President (VP) of the U.S., Walter Mondale, hospitalized due to influenza.
The 87-year-old Mondale visited his hospital complaining of fever. It was discovered that he has been infected with the flu. Former president of the U.S. Jimmy Carter revealed Mondale's illness during a speech at a Nobel Peace Prize Forum in Minneapolis.
"He is in the bed right this moment, but looking forward to come back home," said Carter during the speech. "He said tell everybody he is doing well."
Mondale is undergoing flu treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Mondale became the 42nd VP of the U.S. under the presidency of Jimmy Carter. He served as the VP from 1977 to 1981. Mondale was also the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party in the presidential election of 1984 but lost to Ronald Reagan.
Mondale also served as the 24th U.S. Ambassador to Japan from December 1993 to December 1996 under the presidency of former President Bill Clinton.
This flu season has been the deadliest in comparison with the last few years. Many people are infected with the influenza virus and it causes deaths of many individuals. Medical experts suggest that the flu cases peaked in late January and early February but that it may still not be the end of the flu season.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated in late 2014 that this flu season would be quite severe.
"It's too early to say for sure that this will be a severe flu season, but Americans should be prepared. We can save lives with a three-pronged effort to fight the flu: vaccination, prompt treatment for people at high risk of complications, and preventive health measures, such as staying home when you're sick, to reduce flu spread," says Tom Frieden, director of CDC.
People over the age of 65 years, kids under 5 years and people with weak immune systems are more likely to be infected with influenza. Health agencies recommend that people in these categories should seek immediate medical attention as soon as they experience any flu-like symptoms.
Photo: MN AFL-CIO | Flickr
