Two new swine flu infections have been confirmed in Ireland, one of which is the first in-country transmission.
The latest cases were discovered in two women, one form the east of the country and the other from the west.
The first person-to-person transmission came as a result of contact with one of the previously identified flu cases who had recently returned from New York.
The latest cases bring the number of Influenza A (H1N1) infections in Ireland to nine. Three more cases were confirmed on Wednesday, in a man and child from the western region and in a woman in the east.
The first case of swine flu was confirmed in Ireland on May 2nd, in a man who had returned from Mexico. The other cases of swine flu have been in people who had visited New York.
Seperately, a third case of swine flu has been confirmed in Northern Ireland.
Tthe Department of Health said the newest infection was a man recently back from New York. He has been given anti-virals and is at home and recovering well. All close contacts of him are also being treated.
The Public Health Agency is tracing passengers sitting close to him on a flight from London Heathrow to Belfast City Airport on Tuesday morning. However, the risk of transmission is said to be low.
