THE DEATHS of four more people in the Republic from influenza were confirmed yesterday but the number of new cases of flu-like illness in the community has fallen.
Five more flu deaths were also reported in Northern Ireland, where the chief medical officer warned more people were likely to die, even though it is hoped the number of cases has peaked.
In the Republic, some 7,700 cases of flu have been recorded in the last week, according to figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), down from 9,000 cases a week earlier.
Almost 80 per cent of the cases diagnosed in the last seven days were of human swine flu.
The rate of infection fell from 200 cases to 173 cases per 100,000 of population. However, the rate among younger people has increased significantly, with 213 cases occurring per 100,000 in the zero to four age group.
The HPSC said it was too early to say if the rate of flu in the community had peaked.
Three of the four deaths in the Republic last week were among people with underlying health conditions. One was of a child aged under four and the others were among adults aged between 15-64, the HPSC said.
Six people have died from flu in the Republic so far this season, and five of these were as a result of human swine flu.
The number of people admitted to hospital with flu this winter increased by 180 in the last week to 573. Ninety of these have received treatment in intensive care, up from 72 a week earlier, while 52 remain in intensive care.
Dr Kevin Kelleher, assistant national director of population health at the Health Service Executive, said it was “important to note” that the number of deaths from flu took longer to record than the numbers admitted to hospital or presenting to GPs with an illness.
In Northern Ireland, 21 people suffering from the effects of the H1N1 virus have now died. Eighteen of these patients were also suffering from an underlying medical condition.
The North’s total is disproportionately high, with 21 fatalities out of the UK total of 254. Children appear to be more vulnerable to the virus this year compared to last winter’s flu season.
The North’s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said he believed flu activity had peaked and he looked to a decrease in flu activity in the remaining winter weeks.
He warned, however, that more deaths could be reported.
“We do still have people seriously ill in our hospitals and in intensive care and, sadly and tragically, we may still see some further deaths,” Dr McBride added.
“We have not yet come through this and come out the other side.”
Director of public health Dr Carolyn Harper pointed to a decrease in those presenting at GP surgeries and added: “We do expect to see further swine flu deaths but it is reassuring that the level of new cases in new patients is decreasing.”
She said family doctor consultations had dropped by about one quarter but flu rates were still above normal.
“If the current trend continues, the peak of this year’s flu season has passed,” Dr Harper said. “Consultation rates, numbers of new cases and registered deaths from selected respiratory infections have all decreased.
“People with underlying health problems remain at much greater risk of developing serious complications of flu but people without underlying health problems can also be affected.”
Dr Lorraine Doherty of the Public Health Agency, which released the latest statistics, said family doctors were well stocked with flu jabs.
“We have plenty of vaccination available to prevent swine flu infection,” Dr Doherty added. “Vaccine is easily distributed to all GP practices here. We are not going to run out.”