Red Cross steps up fight on swine flu

The Irish Red Cross is to provide a service to help companies and business groups limit the spread of swine flu.

The organisation is to provide a seminar and information service over the next month in a bid to combat the pandemic.

The move comes following the confirmation of the latest death from the disease here.

The number of people who have died from the virus in Ireland has reached nine, and the infection rate has almost quadrupled here in the past week.

National vice-chair of the Irish Red Cross is Tony Lawlor said the increase compelled the society to take action.

"These are free seminars. We are offering them as part of our response to assist with awareness. Certainly there is a lot of very good material out there but with the acceleration in the infection rate we certainly would like to make a contribution," he said.