Child swine flu cases more than double in just one week
THE number of small children contracting swine flu more than doubled last week alone.
The overall number of people admitted to hospital with the virus surged to 46.
Chief Medical Officer Tony Holohan said the rate of the virus among children rose strongly -- to 135 per 100,000 of those under four compared to 48.6 the previous week.
On the basis that there are 341,000 children under four, the figures suggest a rate of around 400 new cases weekly.
However, the overall level of infection reported in schools has been "modest".
Discharged
With 12 patients discharged, there are currently 34 people in hospital and 11 are in intensive-care units.
Three-quarters of those who have been hospitalised so far are aged under 35.
Dr Holohan said it was hoped that enough GPs would sign up to begin vaccinating 400,000 people with underlying illness from Monday week. It is expected that enough vaccine will be available.
There is reason for optimism that just one dose of the vaccine may be needed. While this has yet to be confirmed, it would mean that more people could receive the jab quickly. Dr Darina O'Flanagan said that while most cases had been mild, the virus had killed four people in the country so far. People with underlying illness should not hesitate to seek treatment if they developed symptoms, she stressed.
A Health Service Executive (HSE) survey in August found that half the adult population is worried that they or a member of their family might contract the flu.
The over 55s are most concerned. People under 24 are least worried -- although they are the group most vulnerable.
More than half believe the flu will reach pandemic proportions. This fear is most marked among parents of young children.
Three-quarters said they would avail of the swine flu if it was made freely available and 80pc would encourage other family members to have the jab.
Sign up
The poll, carried out by Millward Brown,indicated a high level of knowledge about swine flu, although 55pc said they would go to their GP and 6pc to an A&E. The best advice is to phone your doctor and this was the choice of just 37pc.
GPs have until next Wednesday to sign up to deliver the vaccine to patients. The HSE is to issue advice for at-risk patients at the end of next week.
Meanwhile, a second child has died in Northern Ireland from swine flu.
The 12-year-old boy died yesterday morning in the Ulster Hospital in Dundonald. Northern Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said the child had a "serious underlying medical condition".
- Eilish O'Regan Health Correspondent
Irish Independent
