THREE MORE people have died of swine flu in the Republic, it was confirmed by the Department of Health last night, as rates of influenza infection in the community reach “unprecedented” levels.
The latest to die were all adults, two women from the east and a man from the south, all of whom had underlying health conditions. Their deaths bring to eight the numbers to die of the pandemic H1N1 virus in the State.
Dr Colette Bonner, deputy chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said rates of infection in the community had “almost doubled” in the past week to 158.8 cases per 100,000 of the population, which was higher than had ever been seen during the height of seasonal flu epidemics in Ireland. The peak rates previously recorded for seasonal flu were 122 cases per 100,000.
“It must also be borne in mind that we are still in the month of October, so this would suggest that this is a clear acceleration phase,” she said, saying rates would increase. She urged everyone to be vigilant and to adhere to the “catch it, kill it, bin it” message.
The highest rates of infection are among school children. Among five- to 14-year-olds, infection rates are at 448 cases per 100,000, up from 170 cases seven days ago. Among under-fives the rate is now 239 cases per 100,000, up from 86.1 the previous week.
Dr Bonner confirmed that 81 additional people were admitted to hospital with swine flu in the past week and another seven patients were admitted to intensive care. Some 71 patients remain in hospital and 41 remain in intensive care. However she said it was important to keep the situation in perspective as most cases of infection continued to be mild and could be treated at home.
To date there have been 64 swine flu outbreaks in educational settings and 25 of these were reported in the past week. Schools are also reporting higher absenteeism.
Dr Darina O’Flanagan, director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said the rates of infection in the community were “unprecedented” but increased infection rates were also being seen in the North and a number of European countries. She urged people to get the swine flu vaccine when offered it.
The HSE this week began delivering the vaccine to about 1,800 GPs who have agreed to vaccinate at-risk groups aged six months to 65 years.
It will be Monday week before all vaccinating GPs have received doses of the vaccine – which is arriving in the country in small amounts – then the HSE will begin an advertising campaign urging at-risk groups to present for the vaccine. Special HSE clinics will be provided in areas where GPs are not vaccinating.
Health officials at a press briefing at Government Buildings last evening stressed the swine flu vaccine was safe and effective.
Dr Joan Gilvarry of the Irish Medicines Board said getting the vaccine was the best way to avoid swine flu and its possible complications. While some people may experience side effects such as pain at the injection site, a temperature or muscle or joint pains, these would be mild and transient. “The benefits of getting the vaccine far outweigh the risks.”
Dr Bonner said pregnant women were four times more likely to develop serious complications if they got swine flu. She urged those who were more than 14 weeks pregnant to get the vaccine. Women less than 14 weeks pregnant and who had at- risk medical conditions should also get vaccinated, she added.
Today the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists is expected to endorse this advice.
A number of hospitals, including Temple Street and Crumlin children’s hospitals, have had to cancel elective surgery to deal with an increased swine flu workload.
Dr Paul Kavanagh, public health specialist with the HSE, said other hospitals were poised to manage a potential surge in cases by also postponing lower priority work.
Deaths from seasonal flu also occur here each year. Three deaths were reported last year following an outbreak of influenza at St Ita’s Hospital in Portrane, Co Dublin.