First case of flu this year reported in elderly man

The first case of flu in 2006 has been reported by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.

The strain is influenza A, and was detected in a man in the last week of December.

It will take another week for the National Virus Reference Laboratory to sub type it to the exact strain.

While it is normal to have cases of flu at this time of year, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems are encouraged to get the flu jab if they have not already done so.