A third case of H1N1 influenza has been confirmed in Ireland, it emerged tonight.
Chief Medical Officer of the Department of Health Dr Tony Holohan said the patient, who is from the east of the country, recently returned from New York.
The woman is being treated at home, and the Department of Health said all necessary public health protection measures are being taken.
A second case of the H1N1 strain was confirmed yesterday, but the two are unconnected.
Almost 13,000 cases of the new flu strain have been confirmed in 50 countries, according to the World Health Organisation. There have been 80 deaths in Mexico, which is the epicentre of the outbreak, with 10 deaths in the US, one in Canada and one in Costa Rica.
Earlier today it was reported that 44 new cases of the virus, also known as swine flu, were being linked to a school in England.
Meanwhile, a a 37-year-old man who is critically ill in hospital in Scotland is a probable case of swine flu.
The man, who was admitted last week to a hospital in Glasgow with a viral infection, has tested positive for Influenza Type A. Further confirmation is expected tomorrow.
However, it is not yet known if the flu caused his current condition.