TWO FURTHER cases of swine flu have been confirmed in the State, including the first one transmitted within the country.
The Department of Health said the case of “in-country transmission” occurred in an individual who had “direct contact” with a person previously identified as having influenza A (H1N1) after returning from a trip to New York.
“Community transmission is significant and shows how easily spread this virus is and the onus on all of us to be vigilant and scrupulous about hygiene and to follow published advice,” the department said in a statement.
The latest two cases of influenza A (H1N1) confirmed here bring to nine the total number of cases reported in the Republic to date.
The first case of swine flu here was confirmed on May 2nd.
The two new cases are both in women, one from the eastern region and one from the west.
The Department of Health has urged anyone with flu-like symptoms following recent travel or after being in contact with a person who had contracted influenza A (H1N1) to get in touch with their GP by telephone for advice.
It also advises that people can stop the spread of infection by avoiding close contact with people who appear unwell and have fever and cough; always carrying tissues; always covering your nose and mouth with clean tissues when coughing or sneezing; always immediately disposing of used tissues; regularly washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or alcohol-based hand cleaners; and cleaning surfaces regularly to get rid of germs.
In Northern Ireland, a third case of swine flu has been confirmed in a man recently returned from New York. He has been given anti-virals, is at home and is recovering well. His close contacts are also being treated.
Northern Ireland Minister for Health Michael McGimpsey said: “I would again urge the people of Northern Ireland not to be alarmed. Given the increasing number of cases worldwide, we can probably expect to see more here. We are well prepared to deal with the emerging situation and will ensure we maintain a high state of readiness for any potential pandemic.”
Sixty-nine countries have now reported 21,940 cases of H1N1 infection, including 125 deaths, according to the World Health Organisation, most of them in the US and Mexico. The number of confirmed cases in the UK is nearing 500.