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Swine Flu update, Thursday, 31st December 2009.

31 December 2009

ILI rate:

The Department of Health & Children and the HSE advised today (31st December 2009) that the rate of influenza-like illness (ILI) for the week ending Sunday 27th December 2009 (week 52, 2009), was 21.2 per 100,000 population. This rate is a decrease from the 42.4 per 100,000 population reported during week 51, 2009.

Age-specific ILI rates:

During week 52, 2009, sentinel GPs reported an ILI rate of 61.6 per 100,000 in the 0-4 year age group, an ILI rate of 27.6 per 100,000 in the 5-14 year age group, an ILI rate of 19.2 per 100,000 in the 15-64 year age group and an ILI rate of 0 cases in those aged 65 years and older.

Estimated number of H1N1 cases:

The estimated number of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 cases in Ireland for week 51 2009 is 1124.
The cumulative estimated attack rate (%) up to week 52 2009 is 4.81%.

Hospitalised and ICU cases:

1,034 cases of confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 have been hospitalised to date.
Currently, 149 cases of confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 remain hospitalised.
87 cases of confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 have been admitted to ICU to date.
10 cases of confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 currently remain in ICU.
22 patients with confirmed pandemic (H1N1) 2009 have died to date. There has been no additional deaths reported since last week’s press statement.

While the rates outlined above show a sharp decrease, attention should still be drawn to the relatively high rates of infection in children under 5 years. Children in this age group are more at risk of being hospitalised from flu complications and the Department and the HSE would urge all parents to arrange to have their children under 5 years vaccinated as soon as possible.

The vaccine programme through schools will resume after the school holidays. Babies aged under 6 months cannot get the Swine Flu vaccine, but we will offer a vaccine to everyone living with a child under 6 months to protect the baby. Appointments can be made for a Vaccination Clinic, or further information obtained, on www.swineflu.ie or by contacting the HSE Information Line on 1850 24 1850.

The Irish Medicines Board (IMB) has advised that, up to Wednesday 30th December, 907 reports of suspected adverse reactions to the Pandemic H1N1 vaccines (Pandemrix and Celvapan) have been received by the Board. The reports received remain consistent with the expected pattern of adverse effects for the pandemic vaccines. The benefits versus the risks of both vaccines remains positive.