FLU CASES ARE on the rise as hospitals are dealing with increased presentations at the busiest time of the year for the health service. 

The HSE today said that the number of reported cases in the week ending Saturday 12 December was 3,287. 

That’s compared to just 41 cases nine weeks ago, 457 cases five weeks ago, and 2,943 cases one week previous. 

“While the late of growth is slowing the rate of infection is growing and very active in the community,” a HSE spokesperson said. 

The Labour party has raised concerns about government response to the flu outbreak and called for statements on what was done to prepare.

Labour’s health spokesperson Marie Sherlock TD: “We need to hear from Government about what proactive steps are being taken to protect people, particularly the young, elderly and vulnerable against the flu.

“We know that 40% of hospitalisations from influenza are from those under 15 years old, yet only 18.2% of this cohort are vaccinated against the illness. What makes this even more concerning is that stocks appear to be running out of the nasal vaccine for children.”

The news comes as the Irish Pharmacy Union confirmed that although some pharmacies still have the children’s nasal flu vaccine, the HSE is out of stock.

It said the HSE has advised that if it’s appropriate children or young people between two and 17 years may be offered the adult flu jab.

‘Easily transmissible’

There is also a continued Covid-19 presence, although it’s reduced from 427 cases ten weeks ago to just 171 cases last week, 

RSV is on the rise, however, and in the same period of time rose from 18 cases to 435. 

The HSE has said that the spread of the flu is due to peak on the week of Christmas.

HSE CEO Bernard Gloster said that the service has been predicting a range of 700 to 1,500 cases being in our hospitals on any one day at the height of the flu. 

“That range has now narrowed to a band of 800 to 1,100. We will also see the same number of new cases hospitalised per week. Last week it was 816 new cases hospitalised and today we have 634 people in hospital with flu. The latest modelling data available to me today is that the flu will peak Christmas week,” he said. 

The flu that’s circulating is easily transmissible, and can make people very unwell. 

There are a number of steps the HSE is advising people to take as protective measures. 

These include getting a seasonal flu vaccine, washing their hands frequently, and staying away from others if you are feeling unwell. 

The HSE is also advising sending someone else to get medications from the pharmacy if you are currently sick. 

Gloster further said that the HSE is processing those who present at EDs in good time compared to last year, but our hospitals are still under pressure. 

“We have a long way to go and I want to thank our healthcare workers for responding to the Minister’s support for the reforms and resources that have enabled this.

“We are working at full capacity to support people and while I anticipate serious pressures in the next short while I am confident that working with the community, we will manage this season and the impact of this early and hard hitting flu,” he said.