Influenza in Ireland Week 2 of 2012

Influenza activity in Ireland continued to increase during week 2 2012, however, remained at low levels. The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was slightly increased from the rate of week 1 2011. ILI rates remain below the Irish baseline threshold. To date this season, influenza A (H3) has been the dominant influenza virus detected. There were three confirmed influenza hospitalised cases notified during week 2 2012. One influenza B associated death was reported during week 2 2012, this is the first influenza-associated death reported for the 2011/2012 influenza season. One influenza A outbreak was reported in a hospital setting during week 2 2012. Influenza activity in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere remained below seasonal threshold levels, although persistence of increased activity over recent weeks in some areas is likely to represent the start of influenza transmission. http://www.who.int/influenza/surveillance_monitoring/updates

Peak of Flu Passes

Update from Dr John Gallagher:
Influenza activity has peaked for the 2010/2011 influenza season and is now declining. However, activity in 5-14 year olds continues to increase in the community and is mainly associated with influenza B infection rather than influenza A(H1N1 2009). The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate showed a slight decrease from the rate reported during week 3 2011. Influenza B is now the predominant circulating influenza type in Ireland. The weekly number of hospitalised cases of influenza also decreased. The proportion of influenza–related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services decreased slightly in week 4 2011.

Flu in Ireland-Update

Update from Dr John Gallagher of Employment Health Advisers (EHA):
During the last week it was reassuring to see that all indicators of influenza activity decreased across Ireland. It does appear at this stage that influenza activity has peaked for the 2010/2011 influenza season and is now declining. The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rates decreased in all age groups, with the exception of 5-14 year olds. Influenza A (H1N1 2009) remains the predominant circulating influenza type in Ireland.. The proportion of influenza B circulating has also increased in week 3. The number of hospitalised cases of influenza decreased in week 3 2011.