Doctors believe worst of viral illness epidemic may now be over

Doctors believe the worst is over in the epidemic of viral illness, but hospitals throughout the State remain under pressure from high admission rates.

Dr Dermot Nolan, of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP), said yesterday there was evidence the situation had eased throughout the State. "Certainly, it is not as bad as it was the week after Christmas."

In a statement, the Southern Health Board said accident and emergency departments in Cork University Hospital, Tralee General Hospital, Mallow General Hospital and Bantry General Hospital had people attending with "flu-like symptoms", viral infections and respiratory problems.

Sixty-two per cent of admissions to Cork University Hospital are either flu-or fracture-related. The five-day wards are now seven-day, with an overflow of patients in the day wards.

In Tralee General Hospital, there has been a 33 per cent increase in admissions in the past 10 days compared with the same period last year. Elective procedures are being cancelled.

Mallow General Hospital is reviewing the possibility of cancelling elective surgery, and in Bantry General Hospital there have been five flu-related admissions since Tuesday.

Dr Luke Clancy, consultant respiratory physician at St James's Hospital, Dublin, has advised people who are at risk from flu to seek vaccination against "another dangerous bug", the pneumococcus. The vaccination is available from general practitioners and is free to medical card holders.

"The pneumococcus is the most common cause of pneumonia in Ireland and can also lead to overwhelming infections of the blood, heart, joints and gut," Dr Clancy said.

"It is associated with a high death rate of five to 10 per cent of those admitted to hospital. Pneumococcal infections often follow flu and can worsen previous underlying conditions such as heart disease, lung disease and diabetes.

"Vaccination is available and should be considered by people with chronic lung, heart, kidney or liver disease, people with no spleen, those with weakened immune systems.

"As these groups closely reflect those who are at risk from flu, it is important that those people who normally get vaccinated against flu should also now get vaccinated against the pneumo bug."

Dr Clancy said pneumococcal disease resulted in 5,000 hospital admissions annually in the State.