Seasonal flu activity has continued to decrease significantly in Ireland, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has confirmed.
The number of confirmed influenza cases notified to HPSC have decreased in the past week, with 629 confirmed influenza cases notified by January 22.
This is compared to 1,564 cases reported by the previous week, ending January 15.
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People in at-risk groups are still urged to get vaccinated against influenza and it is still recommended that antivirals be considered for the treatment and prevention of influenza in at-risk groups.
Since October 2022, 13,078 confirmed influenza cases have been reported to HPSC.
Influenza A viruses are predominat this season, with wide circulation of both influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3). During the third week of 2023 influenza decreased in all age groups.
The median age for cases was 51, while one third of cases were aged over 65 years.
During week 3, 166 hospitalised confirmed influenza cases were reported with 3,698 hospitalised influenza cases notified for the season to date, including 137 confirmed influenza cases admitted to critical care units.
Eighty deaths in influenza cases have been notified to the HPSC since the beginning of October 2022. One hundred and forty-five (145) outbreaks of confirmed influenza have also been reported so far this season.
The influenza vaccine is available free of charge from GPs and pharmacists for all people in at risk groups. At-risk groups for the influenza vaccine are:
- All those aged 65 years and older
- All those aged 2 to 17 years
- People with chronic illness requiring regular medical follow-up such as chronic lung disease, chronic heart disease, chronic neurological disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders and diabetes
- Those with lower immunity due to disease or treatment
- All pregnant women. The vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy
- Those with morbid obesity i.e. Body Mass Index ≥ 40
- Residents of nursing homes, old people's homes and other long stay facilities
- Health care workers and carers of those in at-risk groups
- Those in regular contact with pigs, poultry or waterfowl
The weekly influenza surveillance reports and further information on influenza and flu vaccine are available on the HPSC website.
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