Another death brings swine flu toll to 20 this winter

There has been another death from swine flu bringing the death toll from the virus so far this winter to 20. According to the latest weekly flu report from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), a 32nd individual died of flu between February 22nd and February 28th.

Some 20 of those deaths have been from the H1N1 virus, which is otherwise known as swine flu, as well as the B strain of the virus. The median age of those who have died from flu this year is 64 years.

Flu-associated deaths include all deaths where it is reported as the primary or main cause of death by the physician, or if influenza is listed anywhere on the death certificate as the cause of death. During the eighth week of the season, there were 164 confirmed flu hospitalisations, bringing the 2015/2016 season total to 1,065. Of these, 566 have been associated with swine flu.

The median age of hospitalised cases for the season to date is 26 years.

Intensive care The HPSC said the rate of flu infection in the State was “moderate”. It added that swine flu was the “predominant virus” circulating and that reports of hospitalisations and intensive care admissions associated with flu “remain elevated”.

It recommended that antivirals be considered for the treatment and prevention of flu in high-risk groups.