All indicators of influenza activity in Ireland were at low levels during week 43 2011. The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was slightly decreased from week 42 2011. ILI rates remain below the Irish baseline threshold and remain at low levels in all age groups. The proportion of influenza–related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services remained at low levels during week 43 2011. No influenza positive specimens were reported from the NVRL from sentinel or non-sentinel sources for week 43 2011 or for the season to date. To date this season, no confirmed influenza cases have been hospitalised, or admitted to ICU. There have been no reports of any influenza-associated deaths. No outbreaks of influenza/ILI have been reported to date this season.
Influenza activity in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere remained low or undetectable. http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/en/index.html
Employment Health Advisors
