Swine flu information line gets almost 870 calls
The 24-hour freephone information services provides recorded information on the H1N1 virus.
The health authority also has a limited information line where callers can speak to a HSE staff member and that received about 30 calls over the bank holiday weekend.
At a press conference yesterday, chief medical officer at the Department of Health and Children Dr Tony Holohan said there was only one confirmed case of swine flu in the State and no other probable or confirmed cases.
The first case of swine flu in Ireland was confirmed on Saturday night and related to a man from the east, probably from Dublin and in his 20s. Dr Holohan said the man, who was well and happy as he could be in the circumstances, had agreed not to leave his home for seven days and is now very close to the end of that period.
He said the World Health Organisation (WHO) maintained its pandemic alert at level five, but the Government is preparing for the possibility of the alert being moved to level six, the highest level.
Dr Holohan said there were 79 confirmed and 20 probable cases in the EU, with human transmission still confined to three countries – Spain, Germany and Britain – in respect of eight cases out of 99. The WHO’s criteria for level six would be met where there was sustained community transmission in the EU.
He said it still appeared cases outside of Mexico were mild in nature and, while it gave cause for hope, it did not give cause for complacency. “There is still quite a bit about this virus and its unfolding impact that we don’t fully understand.”
Even if the virus were not severe, it could still have a substantial economic impact and urged the business community to get a copy of a document produced by Forfás and the Department of Enterprise and Employment that will enable them to better respond to a flu pandemic.
The document is available from the department’s website.
HSE head of health protection Dr Kevin Kelleher said their automated information line opened on Friday evening received 868 calls, with most people listening to all of the information relayed, while the staffed line received 30 calls in the last 24 hours.
Dr Kelleher said an information leaflet was being printed and it was intended that homes would receive it this week.
