Two more die from swine flu

A child in the west and a woman in the east have died from H1N1 swine flu, the Department of Health said this afternoon.

This brings the total number of deaths from the virus to 22.

Both the woman and the girl had underlying conditions Dr Tony Holohan , Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health said adding that he extended his sympathies to both families.

However, the rate of infection is down this week with over 3000 new cases this week down from 5000 new cases last week, he said.

Dr Darina O’Flanagan of the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre noted that they were still seeing considerable infection rates among young people with the rate at 121 per 100,000 in children aged zero to four (compared with 51 per 100,000 in the general population).

Infection rates are high among children and we are very anxious to vaccinate as many as possible , Dr Pat Doorley Director of Population Health at the HSE said.

Almost a third of children under five have been vaccinated ,as well as 10 per cent of school age children, he said. He urged parents to get their child vaccinated.

There have been some severe allergic reactions to the vaccine but these occured in those with allergic tendancies, Dr Joan Gilvary of the Irish Medicines Board said.

A nine-year-old child has also died after catching swine flu in Northern Ireland, the North's health department said today.

The victim had underlying health conditions and died within the last few days, a spokesman added.

It brings to 14 the number of related deaths in Northern Ireland.

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said: “I would like to express my sincere sympathy to the family and would ask everyone to respect their privacy and allow them to grieve for their loved one in peace.”