Significant rise in the number of swine flu cases in recent weeks

AS EXPERTS in the UK warned yesterday the swine flu virus could be around for years, there has been a significant spike in the number of cases in Ireland in recent weeks.

Figures produced by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show that in the week before Christmas, 30 positive influenza A (H1N1 2009) specimens had been detected by the National Virus Reference Laboratory.

The report said this was more than double the number of cases identified in the previous week.

So far this winter, 14 people with the swine flu virus have had to be hospitalised. Five of these cases were women who were either pregnant or had recently given birth.

Three people with swine flu had to be admitted to an intensive care unit, the report drawn up by the surveillance centre states. All three patients had underlying medical conditions.

One was in the 15-64 years age group and two were aged 65 years or older.

The report says that in the week December 13th-19th, influenza activity continued to increase across Ireland.

Influenza A (H1N1 2009) is the predominant influenza virus circulating in Ireland, the report notes.

Earlier this month there was an outbreak of swine flu at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin and five patients were treated for the virus. All recovered well.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has urged all those in at-risk groups to get vaccinated. These include pregnant women and patients with heart problems, diabetes or lung, liver or renal diseases, or those who have weak immune systems, as well as those aged over 65 years.

In the UK 24 people are known to have died from swine flu this winter with three other fatalities linked to other strains.

Figures published by health authorities in the UK on Christmas Eve showed that the number of people in critical care with confirmed or suspected swine flu in England had risen to 460 – more than double the number of a week before.

Prof John Oxford, a virologist at Barts and the Royal London, said yesterday the current statistics for flu cases were unsettling, and could worsen over the next week.

He told the BBC that the swine flu virus was never going to go away.

He said it had emerged last year after 18 years and was going to be around for years and years to come.

However, Prof Oxford said people would adjust to it.