9,000 develop swine flu in past week

MORE than 9,000 people have been infected with swine flu in the past seven days, with children worst affected in the biggest surge in cases yet witnessed in Ireland.

New figures released by the Department of Health and HSE show the potentially deadly virus is continuing to spread, with 2,200 more cases seen during the period than just one week previously.

According to the health authorities, the highest rate of infection continues to be among school children.

Those aged between 5-14 years have been the worst affected, with infection rates at 596 cases per 100,000, up from 448 cases seven days ago.

Among children under the age of five, the rate is now 354 cases per 100,000, up from 239 the previous week.

While the number of swine flu deaths has not increased from the 10 confirmed to date, the official figures also show a surge in hospitalisation levels.

A total of 109 people are currently in hospitals across the country after being infected with the virus, with 23 of these being treated in intensive care – 14 of whom have been admitted this week.

Speaking at the Government’s weekly swine fluupdate, Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said it was clear levels of the virus have increased dramatically nationwide in recent days.

Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that the national vaccination campaign for people at risk will start on Monday.

It will include people with chronic lung, heart, kidney or liver disease, those with diabetes or neurological conditions and pregnant women.

According to the health authority, more than 2,100 GPs have agreed to take part in the vaccination programme.

The HSE is setting up 45 clinics around the country where people can be vaccinated if their local doctor is not providing the service.

They include services in every county in the country, with three across the north, west and city areas of Cork and nine clinics in the Dublin region.

To date, one case of adverse reaction to the vaccine has been reported to the Irish Medicines Board.

Both vaccines available in Ireland – Pandemrix and Celvapan – have been licensed by the European Medicine Agency and the medicines board.

The HSE has advised those whose GPs are not participating in the vaccination programme to contact their local HSE vaccination clinic.

People with long-term illnesses, those on cancer treatment, and pregnant women are being advised by the HSE to contact their GP to make an appointment to receive the swine flu vaccine.

* Full details of all clinics nationwide are available on the HSE website: www.swineflu.ie.