Drop in numbers presenting to hospital EDs with flu - HSE

There has been a reduction in the number of people presenting to emergency departments with influenza, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said. The number of patients presenting to ED's with flu has decreased since last week It comes after the HSE warned that flu cases are likely to peak during Christmas week. In a statement this afternoon, the HSE said that although the number of recorded influenza cases has increased to 3,548, the number of patients presenting to emergency departments with influenza has decreased to 1,806, compared with 1,893 the previous week. The HSE is encouraging people to get vaccinated. Dr Colm Henry, the HSE's Chief Clinical Officer said the health service will "continue to monitor patterns closely as we head into the festive period". "There are a number of factors that may influence trends in the coming weeks, such as the natural increase in socialising and intergenerational mixing that occurs during the festive period," Dr Henry said. "Vaccination uptake remains important, particularly among at‐risk groups. There is still time to get your flu vaccine and I would encourage all those eligible to avail of it. The best time to get vaccinated is now." Read more Flu cases likely to peak during Christmas week, says HSE Number of flu cases in Ireland 'quite high' - WHO Flu cases to peak during Christmas week, HSE expects Is it a cold or flu? How to tell winter symptoms apart Tom Murray, President of the Irish Pharmacy Union said yesterday that the flu strain this year is "significantly different to last year" and there is a "massive amount of spread in children". Mr Murray added that this is why he has been part of a campaign to increase children's use of the flu vaccine as well as adults. "I would recommend to everybody that there is still time to get the vaccine." Mr Murray said the H3N2 flu strain is "very infective" and is spreading.

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