A SECOND CASE of swine flu has been confirmed in the Republic, the Department of Health said last evening.
Its chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said laboratory test results had yesterday confirmed the second case in a woman who recently arrived from New York.
“The patient, an adult female residing in the east, recently arrived from New York and has been informed of the result,” he said.
“She remains at home where she is receiving appropriate treatment and is clinically well,” he added.
Those who have been in contact with her are being identified and they too will be given antiviral treatment.
Dr Holohan said the latest case of influenza A (H1N1) did not come as a surprise to health professionals. “As has been said previously, we have expected further cases and indeed still do. Both the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive had planned for this eventuality and continue preparations in anticipation of further cases,” he said.
The first probable case in the State was identified on April 30th and confirmed on May 2nd. That case was in a young man, also in the east, who had just returned from Mexico. He was treated with Tamiflu and remained in quarantine at home until he recovered.
The advice from the Department of Health remains that if you get sick with a flu-like illness, and have visited an affected area in the seven days prior to becoming ill or have been in contact with a known case of influenza A (H1N1), you should contact your GP by telephone for advice.
In addition it says you can prevent the spread of infection by always covering your nose and mouth with clean tissues when coughing or sneezing, disposing of the tissue in a bin immediately afterwards and washing your hands thoroughly.
As of yesterday some 46 countries had officially reported 12,515 cases of influenza A (H1N1) infection, including 91 deaths.