HELSINKI, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare said on Friday that Finland is on the brink of an H1N1flu epidemic.

    Petri Ruutu of the Institute said the latest reports of the H1N1 flu outbreaks in army bases in northern Finland indicated that an epidemic was about to begin.

    Last week a garrison in northern Finland saw an outbreak of H1N1 cases, and this week the Kainuu brigade in northern Finland reported conscripts falling ill with H1N1 flu-like symptoms. H1N1 flu outbreaks have also been reported in the central Finnish towns of Kiuruvesi and Suonenjoki.

    "This means Finland is entering into a period of accelerated outbreaks, although there is currently no clear epidemic," said Ruutu.

    Finland received its first shipments of H1N1 vaccines this week. Authorities have begun distributing the vaccines to healthcare centers and hospital districts. Healthcare personnel and expectant women will be the first to receive a vaccine for protection against the H1N1 flu virus.

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