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LAST UPDATE | 12 Dec 2025
A NUMBER OF hospitals across the country have introduced visitor restrictions due to the high number of patients with the flu.
The HSE has warned that Ireland is facing an early and difficult winter season.
According to the latest report from the Health Surveillance Protection Centre, there were 2,944 cases of flu reported this week, up from some 1,977 cases last week.
Flu hospitalisations have also risen this week from 418 to 657.
As a result, some hospitals have placed restrictions on the number of visitors in order to reduce the spread of the virus.
The Rotunda Hospital in Dublin has said that in-patients are allowed one designated, named visitor for the duration of their stay, with no rotating of visitors allowed and no children permitted to visit in-patient areas.
“All visitors are advised to wear a surgical face mask prevent the spread of infection,” it added.
The Rotunda has also urged visitors who are unwell with flu-like symptoms not to attend the hospital “due to the high prevalence” of flu.
The hospital strongly urged pregnant women and their partners to get the flu vaccine.
Regional Hospital Mullingar said visiting is restricted to one visitor at a time during designated visiting hours “due to high cases of respiratory infections in the local area”.
It said children under 12 should not visit unless patients are critically ill or near the end of their life, and that the hospital should be contacted in this instance to arrange a visit.
Visitor restrictions are in place at University Hospital Limerick, Nenagh Hospital, Ennis Hospital, St John’s Hospital and Croom Orthopaedic Hospital due to the “rising numbers of patients with flu and other respiratory conditions”, the HSE said.
It said only one visitor per person will be admitted during the respective hospital’s designated visiting times.
Visitors are also asked to wear a face mask, with some available at the reception areas of the hospitals.
“We regret the impact of these restrictions on patients and their loved ones, but the decision is necessary to ensure the safe running of the hospitals,” the HSE said.
HSE West and North West said hospitals in Galway have introduced visiting restrictions “as a necessary infection control measure”. This includes University Hospital Galway, Portiuncula University Hospital and Merlin Park Hospital.
The HSE said the hospitals will be facilitating one visitor per inpatient each day. “Where a ward is managing a flu outbreak, visiting will be limited to compassionate grounds only,” it said.
“We regret the impact these restrictions will have on patients and their families, especially at this time of year but we need to do everything we can to control the spread of infection.”
Wexford General Hospital is permitting one visitor per patient during visiting times and all visitors are asked to wear surgical masks, which will be provided at the hospital.
The hospital said visiting times “will be strictly enforced”. It added visiting on compassionate grounds and in particular circumstances to support patients can be arranged directly through the nurse in charge on the respective ward.
From today, Tipperary University Hospital is closed to visitors on infection and control advice.
The hospital said the number of patients presenting with flu and respiratory symptoms have increased, while it also has patients with Norovirus.
It said visiting is only permitted in exceptional circumstances by arrangement with the clinical nurse manager there. Visiting on compassionate grounds will be facilitated by the clinical nurse manager on the ward for both critically ill and end of life patients.
St Luke’s General Hospital Carlow Kilkenny has also introduced visitor restrictions “to reduce the spread of flu, COVID-19 and RSV”.
Only one visitor per patient is permitted to the hospital during visiting hours of 6pm to 8pm “unless otherwise authorised by the Ward Manager”. The hospital said visitors will be asked to wear a mask while in wards.
“Currently, the hospital is experiencing a high number of people presenting with respiratory viral illness. These measures will be kept under review,” the HSE said.
St Luke’s is also asking people with non-emergency conditions to consider alternative care options such as GPs, pharmacies and out of hours GP services before presenting there.
HSE South West have said that visitor restrictions are in place in all of its acute hospitals in Cork and Kerry. These are Cork University Hospital, University Hospital Kerry, Bantry General Hospital and Mallow General Hospital.
Only one visitor per patient is permitted during visiting times only, while all visitors must also wear surgical masks.
“Unfortunately, flu rates in the community continue to increase and we are taking these measures within our hospitals to keep patients safe,” HSE South West regional director of public health Dr Anne Sheahan said.
She urged those eligible for a free flu vaccine to get it “as soon as possible”.
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