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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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Lessons to be learnt >> we’re gonna do the same thing over and over and no one will be punished or even remotely held accountable.
@David Lawlor: It’s next time we will have to try harder to keep things hushed up. We have learnt a valuable lesson.
Lessons to be learned, should be fffg new motto.
Ah the aul “Lessons will be learned” spiel. Are they ever though?
Lessons to be learnt! We have been hearing that since the Blood Contaminarion/AIDS scandal.
Is there any big news today that will bury this?
@James Lyons: They are using this to bury all the other things he has being up to..
@James Lyons:
Joe Biden comes back to ireland ?
LOL
Has there been another crime committed inside the corridors of power? Goodness me, what a bunch of lads they are? The voters must be so proud of their accomplishments.
Well that’s a surprise
Definition of Insanity. Doing scandal over and over again.
Two weeks to flatten the curve!! So many gullible people out there. Still.
They are an absolute joke.
@Fergal McDonagh:
the cervical check victims aren’t laughing
Herr tony coming back into public focus around the time of the release of his book. Hmmm. What chapter does he apologise to the victims of the cervical check scandal?
Some just want and want more power , power and greed .. Jesus how he could keep the drive with his wife’s passing ! Pass it to a younger person now . He will already get a huge pension.
Can’t wait to see Lessons To Be Learned , the Musical .
Remember when he was being lionised here on these pages? Remember someone making a mural of him with a superman outfit? Remember him receiving the freedom of the city?
It was all disgraceful then and it still is.
SF made them do it.
in any other country, senior individuals would have been fired. and yet the spin continues, as expected from the featured parties, ‘lost opportunity’, etc, and all that sort of nonsense. #SomeNeck #PulledaFastOne
” Lessons To Be Learned ”
Aaahh sure that’s the perfect name for a Eurovision song that could get us back to winning ways.
@Thom Thumb:
When I was young, I had a dream
And though the dream was very small,
It wouldn`t leave me.
To be a beggar for a fee
To play the poet or the fool
And now you see me.
And now the miracle is mine
And fault and the war begun
And now there`s nothing left to hide,
Still I………
And now I`ve nothing left but time,
Still I reach out through this empty life
Monk not guilty
@Nicholas O’Halloran: lotta people running for the hills I’d say.
@Nicholas O’Halloran:
Look at Da
i bet the monk done Da
Donnelly is a muppet. A fully qualified spoofer. As for Holohan? The whiff of arrogance from him is stifling.
@Kenmark:
he might go for president
“Lessons to be learned” , that phrase is a way for those in power to politely tell the public to F off .
If I hear lessons to be learnt one more time from a FF or FG lackey, I will lose my 5h1t!!
@Stephen Mullins:
and if i hear “Move forward” from SF
@GERARD KENNELLY: You must get tired always being wrong and having to eat **** from shinner’s. That’s what you get for being wrong so change the tune
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