1,800 new swine flu cases in a week

MORE than 1,800 people have been diagnosed with swine flu in the past week alone, with four being treated in intensive care units over serious concerns for their safety.

Just two days after the second Irish death from the infection was confirmed, new figures released by the Department of Health and HSE show that despite widespread public awareness of the virus, infection numbers are continuing to rise.

According to the latest update by the health authorities, 19 people are currently being treated in hospitals across the country for swine flu, representing almost a third of the 62 total hospitalisations since the infection emerged.

Of this number, four are in intensive care in undisclosed locations, with a HSE official stating that all are suffering from underlying respiratory health concerns.

According to the HSE, there have been 26 localised outbreaks of swine flu in all parts of the country to date, with one in five cases occurring in the HSE South and HSE South East regions.

However, despite the continuing spread of the virus Dr John Devlin, deputy chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said the infection had not become more virulent. “The most important factor is that symptoms are mild in the majority of cases.”

Figures revealed in the latest update show that between August 10 and 16 the rate of diagnoses in the community was 42.2 per 100,000, an increase from 32.5 per 100,000 the previous week.

However, despite the rise, Dr Devlin said this figure was still well below the normal winter flu rates which peaked at 120 per 100,000 last season.

Dr Pat Doorley, HSE national director of population health, continued that while there is no difference between male and female infection rates, children and young adults are still the most affected by the outbreak – with 80% of all cases occurring in people under the age of 35.

Despite the high level of underage infections, however, he said there are still no plans to close schools or creches in the coming weeks, with plans to vaccinate every person in the country in the next six to 12 months once the medication has been developed.

Meanwhile, the HSE has rejected criticism over its handling of the second Irish swine flu death, after it emerged the Dublin man who died had suffered a heart attack in recent years – despite initial claims he had no underlying health concerns.

The latest flu update came after the Department of Education confirmed it will circulate a letter to all schools and colleges on Monday outlining how to react to an outbreak.