Number of swine flu deaths this winter rises to 12

There has been another death from swine flu bringing the death toll from the virus so far this winter to 12.

According to the latest weekly flu report from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), a 16th individual died of flu between February 8th and February 14th.

The deaths have been mostly from the H1N1 virus, which is otherwise known as swine flu, as well as the B strain of the virus. The median age of those who have died from flu this year is 63.

Flu-associated deaths include all deaths where it is reported as the primary or main cause of death by the physician, or if flu is listed anywhere on the death certificate as the cause of death.

During the sixth week of the year, there were 194 confirmed flu hospitalisations, bringing the 2015/2016 season total to 665. Of these, 341 have been associated with swine flu, and 225 with the B strain. The median age of hospitalised cases for the season to date is 25.

The HPSC said most indicators of flu activity in the State decreased during week six of the year, but that activity remained “at high levels”.

It said swine flu was the “predominant virus” circulating and that reports of hospitalisations and intensive care admissions associated with flu “remain elevated”. It recommended that antivirals be considered for the treatment and prevention of flu in high-risk groups.