A reminder has been issued to those at risk such as older people and those with heart conditions to get the flu vaccine following confirmation of the first laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza this season.
The first case this year has been detected earlier than usual. Last year the first case was identified by the National Virus Reference Laboratory in November.
Dr Derval Igoe, a specialist in public health medicine with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said yesterday that the first confirmed case was a reminder to all in high-risk groups to get vaccinated now.
These include those over the age of 65, people with severe illness such as chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease and diabetes, those with lower immunity due to disease or treatment, including those who have had their spleens removed, children or teenagers on long-term aspirin therapy, residents of nursing homes, old people's homes and other long-stay facilities, and healthcare workers and carers of those in risk groups.
"The symptoms of influenza infection usually develop over a matter of a few hours and include a high temperature, sore muscles, dry cough, headache and sore throat. This is different from the common cold, which tends to come on more gradually and usually . . . Anyone in the high-risk categories who develops influenza symptoms should contact their GP," Dr Igoe said.