Elderly and pregnant women prone to flu strain DR BERTIE DALY ATTENDED TO PATIENTS AGED FROM 15 UP TO 65 AND OLDER OVER CHRISTMAS
THERE is still no reason to be complacent regarding the influenza A (H3) strain, particularly for those in the most “at risk” groups which include the over 65s and pregnant women.
That was the view of Dr Bertie Daly, who has a practice in Newmarket. He told The Corkman that he has attended to patients aged from 15 years up to 65 and older who presented themselves to his practice with the influenza strain.
“A lot of the influenza is viral and it can cause a severe and significant risk to the elderly and pregnant women. The peak at my surgery was between December 27 and 28 but overall, we were extremely busy with some very ill influenza patients. While it has calmed down a little, that is still no reason to be complacent,” he said.
According to the Influenza Surveillance in Ireland weekly report for January 2-8, the influenza-like illness (ILI) report outlined that the consultation rate nationally was 95.3 per 100,000, which was an increase compared to the rate of 52.3 per 100,000 during week 52 of last year.
By viewing the report from January 9-15, it was stated that the ILI consultation rate was 70.6 per 100,000, which was a decrease compared to the updated rate of 94.8 per 100,000 reported during week one.
Dr Daly said: “This strain is particularly worse for the elderly and the most vulnerable. The most at risk groups should go to their own GPs and get vaccinated. In addition, pregnant women should also be vaccinated. I have had a number of patients attending the surgery to receive the vaccination.”
He said that while he like many other GPs would read the Influenza Surveillance in Ireland weekly reports and while the numbers are coming down, it is still not the time to be complement.
“Over the Christmas period, the services in hospitals and primary care units were overwhelmed by the volume of people who attended. At one stage it was just over 94% per 100,000 who were suffering with the influenza strain and that was really, unbelievably high,” he said.