PEOPLE WITH flu symptoms have been asked not to attend church services in the Diocese of Ferns until they are in better health. The request follows concerns from the Health Service Executive (HSE) that the disease could be easily transmitted between people attending Mass.
The diocese said in a statement that those exhibiting symptoms of flu, such as sudden fever, cough, runny nose or muscle aches, should stay away from church services as their attendance “constitutes the greatest danger of all in terms of spreading disease”.
This HSE recommends that those with flu symptoms stay at home and isolated from other members of the family, with the exception of a caregiver.
Businesses have also been advised to plan for 15 per cent absenteeism over the coming months as adults remain out of work either suffering or caring for a family member who has contracted swine flu.
Procedures invoked by Dublin Fire Brigade were called into question yesterday after an ambulance paramedic was instructed to continue working as scheduled despite being in close proximity with his son, who is confirmed as suffering from swine flu.
The father had not yet shown symptoms of swine flu and therefore was advised to continue working by his superior despite being exposed to the virus.
The young man’s mother complained that “there seems to be two rules; the doctor can’t come out to diagnose my son but my husband [who has been exposed to the virus] can attend patients”.
The number of cases of swine flu has reached 194 according to the latest figures from the Department of Health. It is believed that 25 of these were transmitted between people in Ireland.