Deadly Aussie flu strikes in Ireland

THE dangerous ‘Aussie flu’ strain that doctors fear will sweep the country may already have claimed lives in Ireland.

Doctors in the UK have warned it could be the worst outbreak of flu in 50 years, as official figures revealed cases more than doubled in a week.

The Irish Health Service Executive said there had been a ‘small number of deaths directly related to influenza (less than ten)’ in the past two weeks, although it did not specify what kind.

It is urging the public, especially those in high-risk groups such as the over-65s or pregnant women, to get vaccinated.

Figures from Public Health England show a sharp rise in flu cases, particularly of two aggressive sub-types.

One is influenza A, the H3N2 strain of which – so-called Aussie flu – triggered two and a half times the normal number of cases in Australia during the winter there. Britain’s flu season tends to mirror Australia’s.

Usually, only one sub-type – influenza A or B – is responsible for most cases. But last week 522 cases of the A sub-type and 5 6 of the B were recorded in England and Wales. Some 3 cases have yet to be identified.

Across the country, 206 people have been admitted to intensive care or high dependency units with flu so far this winter, and 23 people have died.