80,000 flu deaths predicted in Europe

A MAJOR medical monitoring group has claimed 80,000 Europeans could die from swine flu in the coming months, naming Ireland as one of the EU’s hotspots for the deadly pandemic.

Figures released by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that in recent weeks almost every country on the continent has seen a sharp rise in swine flu cases and hospitalisations.

Despite the widespread increase, the influential group singled out Ireland and Iceland as being worst affected by the pandemic and witnessing the highest intensity of swine flu diagnoses per head of population anywhere in the EU.

In the past week alone there have been 30,000 cases of swine flu in Ireland, with 14 deaths in the Republic and a further 10 fatalities in the North since the pandemic began.

As a result, the ECDC has placed Ireland in the “very high” risk category for further swine flu deaths — one of just two countries in the crisis situation.

According to the ECDC survey, Sweden is next-highest on the swine flu risk list, followed by Britain, both of whom are in the “moderate” category.

In the 27 EU countries and four European Free Trade Area (EFTA) nations there have been 389 swine flu-related deaths to date, including 14 in Ireland, 154 in Britain, 73 in Spain, 25 in Italy and 22 in France.

More than 6,000 fatalities have been reported worldwide.

As a result of the increase in cases across the continent, the ECDC has warned that up to 40,000 people could die from swine flu in the current pandemic, with a similar number also predicted to lose their lives in subsequent seasonal flu epidemics next year.

“That is not a trivial number. And the fact that H1N1 is happening in younger adults, pregnant women and people without risk factors makes it feel different,” explained the ECDC’s flu co-ordinator, Angus Nicoll.

The figures emerged as Health Minister Mary Harney confirmed children aged six months to four years, over-65s and all healthcare workers can receive the vaccine from next week.

“This is a national emergency as far as the health services are concerned,” Ms Harney admitted.

“The issues that confront us are no different than issues that confront other health ministries right around the world, particularly in the EU. But I think we have the capacity working together to be able to vaccinate the population as quickly as possible.”