ANOTHER SIX people have died from flu in the Republic, it was confirmed yesterday, but rates of influenza infection are now in decline.
The national Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), in its weekly flu report, said five of these latest deaths were from swine flu and one was from influenza B.
This brings the number of deaths from flu in the Republic this winter to 12. Ten of the deaths have been from swine flu and two have been from influenza B.
All but one of those who died had underlying health conditions.
One death was of a child in the 0-4 year age group, seven of those who died were in the 15-64 year age bracket and four were aged 65 and older.
Two deaths occurred in the south, two were in the west and eight were in the east.
The Health Service Executive said it was expected that some additional deaths, which have not yet been formally notified as influenza-associated deaths pending the issuing of death certificates by coroners, may be reported in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, HPSC data confirms influenza activity has decreased over the past week for a second week in a row, which it says demonstrates infection rates overall have peaked and are in decline. Infection rates with flu-like illness in the community stood at 110.4 cases per 100,000 of the population in the past week, down from an updated rate of 171.4 cases per 100,000 the week before.
This means nearly 5,000 new cases of flu were reported in the last week, down from more than 7,700 a week earlier.
To date this season 749 people have been hospitalised with flu, and 98 patients, including 11 children, have been admitted to intensive care. Of these 43 remain in intensive care.
Overall 70 per cent of those admitted to intensive care had underlying conditions such as chronic respiratory disease, chronic heart disease, immuno-suppression, pregnancy and, metabolic disorders. Of all those hospitalised 144 were in the 25-34 age group and 138 were aged 0-4 years. More than 40 of those hospitalised were pregnant.
The HSE said that over the past couple of weeks the proportion of all hospitalised cases due to influenza B has risen and now stands at 17 per cent. “The rise in influenza B highlights the importance of getting seasonal vaccine for those in the at-risk groups. It’s still not too late to get the vaccine from your GP,” it said.
This year’s seasonal flu vaccine provides protection against three flu strains, including swine flu and influenza B.
Rates of flu infection are also falling in the UK.