Swine flu protocol ongoing

PRECAUTIONS to battle a possible wave of swine flu infections are still in place a year since the first case of the deadly virus was diagnosed on Irish shores.

While health authorities have wound down their awareness and prevention campaign against swine flu, pregnant women are still advised to take the vaccine.

Up to a quarter of the population, are now understood to have been given the vaccine, but stores of it have also been set aside in case of an epidemic.

At the start of May last year, Ireland’s first case of swine flu was confirmed after doctors treated an Irish male who had just travelled back from Mexico, were the global epidemic began.

A year on and the Health Service Executive says precautions are still in place to guard against the spread of the H1N1 flu strain.

“The number of people now immune to swine flu should help to mitigate the impact of any possible future wave of swine flu infection. To date, 24 people have died from the H1N1 virus and hundreds have been hospitalised as a result of contracting the virus and we must be vigilant as pandemics are by their nature are unpredictable and historically tend to come in a number of waves.”

The HSE said up to 1.1 million doses of the vaccine have been administered. It is “also currently maintaining sufficient stocks of vaccines... for use should we experience any subsequent waves of the virus. Pandemics by their nature are unpredictable and historically tend to come in a number of waves”.