Influenza in Ireland Week 48

All indicators of influenza activity in Ireland were at low levels during week 48 2011. The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was slightly increased from the updated rate of week 47. ILI rates remain below the Irish baseline threshold and remain at low levels in all age groups. No influenza positive specimens were reported from the NVRL for week 48 2011, from sentinel or non-sentinel sources. There have been no reports of any influenza-associated deaths to date this season. No outbreaks of influenza/ILI have been reported to date this season. Influenza activity in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere remained low. More influenza viruses are being detected in EU/EEA countries. http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates/en/index.html

Dr John Gallagher MB MMedSc FRCPI FFOMI
Occupational Physician,

Influenza in Ireland Week 47

By Dr D Gallagher, Employment health Advisors (EHA):
All indicators of influenza activity in Ireland were at low levels during week 47 2011. The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was slightly decreased from the rate reported during week 46 2011. ILI rates remain below the Irish baseline threshold and are low in all age groups. The proportion of influenza–related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services remained at low levels during week 47 2011. Two influenza positive specimens (one influenza A H3 and one influenza B) were reported from the NVRL for week 47 2011. No confirmed influenza cases were hospitalised or admitted to ICU between weeks 40-47 2011. There have been no reports of any influenza-associated deaths to date this season. 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