Three more people have died from flu in the past week, bringing the total number of deaths in the State from influenza this winter to 15.
Swine flu was responsible for 11 of those deaths, three have been attributed to influenza B and one was due to influenza A unsubtyped. All but one of those who died had underlying medical conditions.
Meanwhile rates of influenza like illness in the community continue to fall. The latest weekly flu report from the national Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) indicates rates of infection now stand at 93 cases per 100,000 of the population, down form 108 cases per 100,000 a week ago.
The drop in infections has occurred in all age groups except for those aged 5 to 14 years, where the rate has continued to increase and is mainly associated with influenza B.
"Influenza B is now the predominant strain circulating in the community," the HPSC said.
This year's seasonal flu vaccine, which is available free from GPs for all those in at-risk groups or which can be obtained privately from some pharmacies, contains protection against influenza B, swine flu and one other strain of flu.
Some 40 per cent of those admitted to hospital with flu over the past week had influenza B. So far this season, 803 people have been hospitalised with flu. A total of 103 people have been admitted to intensive care and 38 remain in ICU.
"The rise in influenza B highlights the importance of getting seasonal flu vaccine for those in the at-risk groups. It's still not too late to get the vaccine from your GP. Although intensity is declining, influenza is still circulating in the community, and seasonal vaccination provides good protection against all types of flu," the HPSC said.
Of the 15 flu deaths reported to date one was in a patient in the 0-4 year age group, 10 were in the 15-64 year age group and four were aged 65 years and older.