It’s official... flu outbreak has now reached ‘epidemic’ level

‘EPIDEMIC’ flu levels have now been reached in Ireland, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Ireland is one of eight European countries, including our nearest neighbours in the UK, to reach the epidemic influenza threshold.

The World Health Organisation describes an epidemic as ‘the occurrence in a community or region of cases of an illness, specific healthrelated behaviour, or other healthrelated events clearly in excess of normal expectancy.’

A HSE influenza briefing on Wednesday heard that levels were likely to peak in the coming days.

However, North Dublin-based GP, Dr Ray Walley said from his experience, flu levels were showing no signs of slowing down.

‘This was the first full week back after the New Year. Last week was busy, this week is even busier. I’ve certainly had no lunch break today; my colleagues have had no lunch break,’ Dr Walley told the Irish Daily Mail yesterday.

And he argued that the HSE’s issuing of a statement that flu was peaking would deter patients from getting vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the number of patients on hospital trolleys dropped substantially yesterday, from 544 on Thursday to 473.

Trolley numbers reached an alltime high of 677 last week.