Flu cases in Ireland continue to increase with hospitalisations rising by almost 20 per cent in the past week as emergency departments experience unprecedented attendances for this time of year.
On Wednesday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published the latest figures for respiratory illnesses in the State up to December 13th.
There were 816 hospitalisations due to the flu last week, the infectious diseases watchdog has reported. This is a 19 per cent increase on the previous week when there were 685 people hospitalised.
There were 3,287 cases of the flu notified in the State last week, up from 2,943 the previous week, an 11.7 per cent increase.
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The number of ICU admissions due to influenza reduced last week with six people in ICU, compared with two weeks ago when 17 people were receiving intensive hospital care.
Chief executive of the HSE Bernard Gloster said he expects the flu to peak over Christmas week. He said emergency departments are seeing unprecedented numbers even for this time of year.
“When we go to the first 11 days of December last year, we saw 4,544 attendees per day and this year it is an unprecedented increase of 5,097,” said Mr Gloster.
“We are working at full capacity to support people and while I anticipate serious pressures in the next short while, I am confident that working with the community, we will manage this season and the impact of this early and hard-hitting flu,” said Gloster.
The HPSC says that across the winter season, which began in October, there has been a total of 10,797 flu cases to date.
Dublin, Cork, Westmeath, Galway and Wexford are the counties with the highest number of reported flu cases across the season, the HPSC says.
Flu was reported highest in the 0-14 age group last week with 1,053 cases.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) cases were also highest in this age group with cases increasing 18 per cent last week. RSV is another respiratory illness that most acutely affects young children and the HSPC says 435 cases were reported last week, up from 368 the previous week.
There were 161 people hospitalised with RSV last week, an increase from 120 two weeks ago. The number of people in ICU reduced by half with three last week, a decrease from six two weeks ago. Since October there have been 1,664 cases of RSV.
Dublin, Galway, Cork, Kerry and Limerick were the counties with the most RSV cases last week.
While the rate of growth is slowing, the rate of infection is growing and very active in the community, says the HSE.
It is asking people to get the flu vaccine; practice respiratory etiquette; wash hands frequently; stay away from others, or at home, if unwell and able to do so. It advises that if people are ill, or have symptoms to not visit vulnerable relatives/friends/neighbours at home, in hospital or in care settings. The HSE also advises wearing a mask if you are ill and need to attend a healthcare facility.
