Flu infection levels at eight-year high
Thursday January 08 2009
The number of people coming down with flu-like illness is at its highest in eight years, it was confirmed yesterday.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said the rate of illness is continuing to rise and is at its highest since the winter of 2000 to 2001.
The watchdog said it was not yet too late for vulnerable groups to be vaccinated against flu.
Flu-like illness rates have risen from 72.8 per 100,000 in the last week of December 2008 to 100.6 per 100,000 in the first week of January 2009.
"As influenza continues to circulate in the community, it is important that people in high-risk categories get vaccinated," warned HPSC specialist in public health medicine, Dr Derval Igoe. High-risk groups include:
• Over-65s.
• People with chronic illness requiring regular medical follow-up, such as chronic lung disease, chronic heart 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.
• Healthcare workers and carers of anyone in these risk groups.
"Anyone who gets flu should stay at home, rest, drink plenty of fluids and use over-the-counter remedies like paracetamol to ease symptoms.
"People in high-risk categories should contact their GP if they develop influenza symptoms," added Dr Igoe.
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
