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THIRTEEN PEOPLE DIED of influenza during Ireland’s last flu season, according to new figures released by the HSE.
Twelve of the deaths were linked to outbreaks of the flu among elderly patients in hospitals, nursing homes or residential units.
The data shows at the peak of the outbreak, GPs were receiving on average 1.2 calls per hour relating to influenza.
Young children were most likely to get the flu but all of the fatalities were among elderly people, ranging from 81 to 98 years old. Seven residents of one Donegal nursing home are believed to have died from flu or flu-related illnesses in March and April of this year.
A total of 147 people had to be hospitalised with influenza, the vast majority of them babies under one year old, and fifteen people had to be admitted to intensive care to be treated.
The figures related to the outbreak of influenza between the final months of 2011 and the first four months of 2012 and are compiled in the annual report of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre.
Despite the figures, the outbreak was less severe than previous years, with fewer cases, hospital admissions, and deaths.
The report also found that the number of cases of whooping cough more than doubled compared to the previous year, with the majority of cases occurring in young infants.
In the report, director of the HPSC Dr Darina O’Flanagan noted measles could end up being eliminated in Ireland due to a significant drop in cases as the vaccination levels increase significantly. There were 267 cases of measles in Ireland in 2011 down from 403 cases in 2010.
There were no confirmed cases at all of rubella, which Dr O’Flanagan said indicated that MMR vaccination campaigns are working.
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We were on the beach. The lifeguard and surrounding people worked valiantly non-stop to try to save and resuscitate the two ladies, then the ambulance services also did their absolute best before the helicopter arrived and they were rushed away. A couple stood nearby throughout and prayed the Rosary. The sea was calm and it was a beautiful sunny evening on the beach, made horrendous by this appalling double tragedy. God rest them both and deepest sympathy to their families.
Unfortunately news in that both have passed away.
Were they in swimming?
RIP.
Latest report is that they’ve died..rip..
Terrible news , they seemed to be living life to the full doing what they loved .
Crikey this really has been a bad week. Nothing but bad news … spirit sapping – condolences to all affected by this terrible event
Very lucky to be alive & hope two ladies will be on their ways to recovery ASAP.
R.I.P ladies. What a terrile way to go.
All the C#nts on this site giving thumbs down when people say RIP should be beaten to death. Have some respect.
Breakingnews.ie reports they are nuns, regardless, i hope they are alright.
Unfortunately reports say both have passed away in hospital. R.I.P
Why “regardless” ?
Ah that’s terribly sad. RIP.
I was saddened to hear of the two women losing there lives on Inch Strand as this is where we have holidayed for ten years in a row up until a couple of years ago.
May they rest in peace.
any idea on how it happened please?
I asked that question and got red thumbed for it. I still dont know what happened to them. May they rest in peace. Condolences to their families and community.
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