Surge in swine flu as cases hit 133

THE swine flu virus has reached its most virulent period yet since arriving in Ireland, with 29 people being infected since Friday evening.

The latest Department of Health figures have confirmed the major jump in infections, with 14 people contracting the virus yesterday alone.

While the total number of infections stood at 104 on Friday, when department officials confirmed they were unable to contain the spread of the infection, by yesterday evening the figure had increased to 133, with nine in-country transmissions of the virus.