FLU OUT OF CONTROL
»»increase in babies and tots being treated by gps »»125,000 more doses given out compared to last season
THERE has been a five-fold increase in the number of babies and infants treated for flu and flu-like symptoms by GPS, new figures have revealed.
And a total of 125,000 more doses of flu vaccine have been given out in recent weeks, compared to this time last year.
The virus has already killed up to 10 people in Ireland – and the HSE is due to release new figures on the death toll tomorrow.
A leading medical expert yesterday admitted the vaccine will only offer partial cover for tots, children and adults who contract a new strain of the flu.
The emergence of the Yanmagata B strain was not anticipated by health officials here and it risks turning a very bad flu outbreak into a full blown epidemic as the trolley crisis deepens. The rate of babies and children up to four years of age with flu and flulike symptoms increased from 7,000 per 100,000 tots to 39,000 between December 24 and December 31. Dr John Cuddihy, director of public health for HSE South East, “About 60% of the influenza virus strains detected this season are influenza B and influenza B is known to affect younger agegroups more than older people and you can see that. The highest rate in those two weeks was in the zero to four age group so infants and young children.”
Speaking about his advice to parents, he stated: “The important thing is that children who are in at-risk groups are vaccinated against the flu.
“And absolutely anybody who develops influenza-like symptoms should stay at home from school or creche or work.” Asked how is it that this new Yanmagata B strain has impacted on the vaccination process, Dr Cuddihy stated it was impossible to predict this new strain would be as prevalent as it has been.
He said: “You’re absolutely right when you say it’s not possible to predict which virus is going to predominate in a coming season.
“I suppose influenza viruses like other viruses tend to change over time.” The only vaccine available from
the HSE is trivalent flu vaccine. To date it has distributed over 930,000 doses – this is over 125,000 more doses of flu vaccine compared to this time last season and they say it is the best protection against flu.
Speaking about the current trivalent vaccine Dr Cuddihy added: “So the current vaccine has three strains in it.
“There are two A viruses in there, the AH1N1 and the H3N2 and then it has a
B virus called Brisbane which is a strain. The Brisbane strain is in the vaccine and that’s a B virus. But this Yanmagata strain isn’t in the virus but the B strain that’s in the vaccine is thought to provide some cross cover against this.”
Meanwhile, a “red zone” map showing where in Ireland is worst hit by the flu has been issued by the HSE.
The guide – which covers all types of the bug including the deadly Aussie flu – goes from a “no report” to “widespread activity” with the darkest red areas the worst affected.
The “red zone” map data – which is issued a week after tests are carried out – covers the period from December 18 to 24 (week 51) and December 25 and 31 (week 52).
And the alarming figures show how flu has increased in some areas, but decreased in others. During week 51, “widespread flu” was reported in the East region, while “localised activity” was reported in the Midlands, Midwest, Northeast and West areas.
“Sporadic” activity was reported in the Northwest and South, while “no activity” was reported in the Southeast. One week later “widespread” flu remained in the East region, while “localised activity” was reported again in the Midlands, Midwest and Northeast areas as well as the Northwest, which increased from “Sporadic”.
“Sporadic” activity was reported again in the South, as well as the Southeast and West. A HSE spokesman said: “Influenza activity has continued to increase in all HSE areas”.
The deadly Aussie flu – also known as H3N2 – has already arrived in Ireland and is strengthening its grip.
The HSE revealed on Sunday that “less than 10 people” in Ireland have already died from the so-called Aussie flu outbreak.