Swine flu claims four more victims

Four people with swine flu have died in the last week bringing the total death toll to 14, it was confirmed tonight.

Health chiefs said a man and two women died from the H1N1 virus in the east of the country and another woman in the south.

All had an underlying medical condition.

Doctor Tony Holohan, chief medical officer, said: “I’d just like to take this opportunity to express the ministers, departments and HSEs’ condolences to the family involved in each of these cases.”

Dr Holohan said there was a slight fall in the rate of infection from 21 per 100,000 last week to 178.5 this week.

The top medic said 165 people were in hospital with 19 fighting for their lives in intensive care.

Pregnant women have accounted for around 6% of hospitalisations to date.

Dr Holohan urged people, and in particular children under 14 , to stay away from hospitals.

“On a national basis we’d be recommending that children, particularly, but the general population, would try to avoid visiting hospitals where possible.”

Dr Joan Gilvarry of the Irish Medicines Board said 250,000 doses of the vaccine have been distributed, with around 20,000 people inoculated.

Some 23 adverse reactions have been experienced, including flu-like symptoms, mild itching and rashes.