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THE HSE HAS warned of a new virulent strain of the H1N1 flu virus that has hit Ireland, with as many as four people having died after contracting it.
The virus is also known as Swine Flu, and can be particularly harmful to young people and pregnant women, as well as the more usual at risk groups.
The HSE has urged people in vulnerable groups to get vaccinated, and others to stay at home if they notice they have flu-like symptoms.
Speaking this afternoon on RTÉ’s News at One, Dr Kevin Kelleher, director of public health with the HSE, said the latest strain of the virus posed a potentially serious public health risk.
He said that at least two, but possibly four, people had died after contracting the virus.
Kelleher said that this year the flu had arrived later than last year, but that there were clear signs that it was spreading in Ireland and that it would begin to spread quicker now that people were returning to school and work after Christmas holidays.
“It’s particularly because young people go back to school and mingle and the reservoir of flu in the population generally is in children,” Dr Kelleher said.
“Albeit the impacts then are in other groups in the community.
Already we’ve seen a number of people having to be admitted to ICUs and these are not the people you might expect, these are the people under 65 – in their 20s and 30s and 40s.
He said that unfortunately “a number of those have died already”.
So it shows that it can be a very problematic disease for people under 65. Predominantly with a pre-existing disease but it doesn’t have to be.
Kelleher said the virus was also “a big problem for pregnant women” and people whose defences were already low.
He said that the H1N1 virus in particular caused chest problems, which could then lead to pneumonia which people with existing conditions will find hard to beat.
“The flu starts the problem, but the real issue comes then with the pneumonia and the compromising of their breathing then as a consequence, and that’s what sees the problem,” he said.
He urged people to get vaccinated to protect themselves against the flu, especially those in more vulnerable groups.
“It’s still not too late to get vaccinated,” Dr Kelleher said.
He also said that people who start to see that they are developing the flu should stay at home, so as not to spread the virus.
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* Waits for the anti-vax, “ big pharma crowd to appear *
@Bríd Uí Mhaoluala: Big Pharma wrote the article
@Bernie Roche: Old MacDonald had a pharma H1N1o… lol.
Had the flu over Christmas, caught it from a relative who actually said it feels like the swine flu, she was knocked for six with it, it made me miserable for a full week and was slightly milder than the swine flu for me which I had for a full three weeks back in 2009 so maybe it was another strain of the swine flu, chest was in absolute bits with it and I was very weak. Get the vaccination if you want to avoid it because it’s some dose!
@Rachel O’ Meara: You would have a certain degree of immunity if you were exposed to this particular flu a few years ago, so makes sense that it was a bit milder for you this time round :)
@HotPotato: LOL no he would not
@Rachel O’ Meara: Got it xmas day myself, went from feeling full of dinner to shaking and feeling freezing within an hour, two hours later in bed sweating so much I had to wrap myself in towels I was like this for 3 days…..still have it in the chest its nasty.
@Peter Hughes: ditto. 71 and the second flu of my life. Bad two weeks but now know my immune system is is working and that without vac.
Is this vaccine the same as the one that has been available since before Christmas or is it additional?
@Lily Martin: The regular shot should cover you for Swine Flu.
@Lily Martin: Yes, it’s the same. I got the jab in McCabe’s a few months ago, and they listed the flu’ strains that it covered.
I’d say book in before the rush – January and February seem to be the worst for flu’ & pneumonia victims, and if we get snow, there’ll be a backlog if people can even get to a chemist.
@Fiona Fitzgerald: LOL no he would not
@George O Neill: You’re just posting that on every thread.
A friend of mine is in hospital with pneumonia & this girl is exceptionally healthy & would never usually be sick with a sniffle even but whatever is in the air since last November its effecting everyone…
I’m pro vaccination but it really bugs me how there is such a lack of detail in HSE articles like this. E.g. estimated protection of vaccination against this strain. I’m no biologist but surely enough is now known to publish some data so people can make the right decision?
@Toon Army: the right decision is to get vaccinated
@Toon Army: The data you’re looking for will never be published, it isn’t needed from the states point of view and would only give ammo to anti-vaxxers.
@Toon Army: I nearly died last year from the flu, was hospitalized for 2 weeks and had a bilateral pneumonia. That’s all the info that I needed to get the flu vaccine this year!
@Toon Army:
It’s a no brainer. GET.THE.SHOT. End of story. No weighing up of probabilities. No speculation about what if…. or how bad or is there side effects. I had the flu twice in past 10 years and I ain’t going back. JFDI. The end. Your welcome.
When will people understand it’s not just for your own benefit. Although surely that’s enough encouragement. Vaccinating in general reduces the spread of these diseases and viruses making the world a safer place for those that cannot be immunised.
I hope the hospital system is able to cope with the influx of patients from this outbreak.
@Adrian Mac: hospital system shouldn’t have to cope people with the flu should avoid the E.D go to your doctor if they refer you then go. Do not just rock up at your E.D with a sniffle looking for antibiotics.
@In my opinion: More people will end up in hospital due to flu, that’s a given. I agree that people should attend a GP first if necessary and not straight to A&E, however those who are vulnerable like the elderly, children, sick people etc. will inevitably need further care. That is what I was referring to.
@Adrian Mac: The amount of people who go into hospitals over these epidemics and then find out that they have a heart problem is mind blowing… It tells us people here don’t really look after themselves as well as they should?
@TamuMassif2019: or they see the bill.
Had swine flu in 2009. Had another strain in 2012 and third times a charm I have a flu now! Wouldnt wish it on my worst enemy ;(
I cant get the vaccine so really rely on heard immunity.
If i got one like 2 years ago do i need another one?
@Jamie: yes because the flu virus adapts and evolves so an annual shot is recommended as it changes to adapt to the virus.
@Leisha: thanks
Had the vaccine in October and I got the flu a week before Christmas, wiped me out for almost 3 weeks. Happened me previously about 6 years ago to, hadn’t got the vaccination since but was encouraged in work this year. I think I’ll take my chances from now on!
@Lynn Perry:
Not to be rude but this does not make sense. Why take any risk for the sake of a €20 shot. Some years it’s less effective than others but that’s not a reason not to get it.
Ithttps://www.independent.ie/irish-news/four-people-die-after-suspected-swine-flu-outbreak-37681107.html It is being reported that up to four people have died and that it is the A strain of the virus that is affecting people.
@Honeybee: Where when who
Iv been sick fr 3 weeks chest in bits..im deffo getting jab asap
@Marianne: 100% Maybe get 2 just in case?
@Marianne: Too late
Do you have to make an appointment with a pharmacy to get the flu jab or can you just drop in and get it?
@Ciara Jones: drop In
@Ciara Jones: a lot of doctor surgery’s have days with times allocated to flu vaccine, no appointment needed, if you ring your GP they will give you their schedule
False flag. Now you can start discussion.
@Bill Brown: he thinks he’s in Steps and is telling H to continue the performance. Only explanation really.
If 100% of the population vaccinated against seasonal flu there would still be a loss of life due to infection. It is a fact that you can still get the flu even after being vaccinated.
There are 3 types of influenza, type A, B & C that break down into literally hundreds of subtypes. (The vaccine usually contains 2 type A and 1 type B strains). Each of the hundreds of subtypes can mutate making it impossible to predict which strain will be circulating in the future. People who get this vaccination will not be protected from a mutated strain of influenza.
If 100% of the population vaccinated against seasonal flu there would still be a loss of life due to infection. It is a fact that you can still get the flu even after being vaccinated.
There are 3 types of influenza, type A, B & C that break down into literally hundreds of subtypes. (The vaccine usually contains 2 type A and 1 type B strains). Each of the hundreds of subtypes can mutate making it impossible to predict which strain will be circulating in the future. People who get this vaccination will not be protected from a mutated strain of influenza virus.
@FranciumPlusH20: and if 0% get vaccinated even more will die. What’s your point?
@Mrsuperiority: My point is if it’s the wrong strain of influenza virus in the vaccine, then there is effectively 0% protection against the curculating strain. It’s almost impossible for them to predict. Even if they could predict the exact strain it can mutate and evolve during the actual season making the vaccine ineffective.
Thank u, next bit h
@kevinhunt101: what ?
Very misleading article. If 100% of the population vaccinated against the seasonal flu there would still be a loss of life due to flu. It is a fact that you can still get the flu if you have been vaccinated. There are literally hundreds of different strains of influenza and new strains are still being discovered all the time. The H1N1 contained in this vaccine may not even work as the virus can mutate making the current vaccine useless against it.
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