18-month-old boy dies of virulent 'flu

An 18-month old boy has become the first victim in Ireland of the virulent form of the flu, it was confirmed today.

The National Disease Surveillance Centre has confirmed that the baby died earlier this week in Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin.

The child, who was from the South Eastern Health Board region, had been transferred to an intensive care unit from another hospital earlier this month.

It was the first case of Influenza A, which has caused the deaths of approximately six children and young adults in Britain over the last two months.

Deaths caused by the virus are extremely rare but Dr Darina O’Flanagan of the National Disease Surveillance Centre said in this case the boy had died as a result of infection with the Fujian strain of the virus.

“We encourage everyone in the at-risk categories to get an influenza vaccination,” she said.

“However, most children and young adults do tend to make a full recovery from the influenza.”

The flu vaccine has been offered to everyone over the age of 65, and to adults and children with a chronic disease such as diabetes or asthma.

The influenza A virus was first identified in Europe a year ago and there were a number of cases in Australia and New Zealand during their winter this year.