Ireland Influenza Surveillance 2015-2016

[Ronan Kelly]

Swine flu death toll increases to 20 this winter

Eilish O'Regan T
The official death toll from swine flu this winter has risen to 20, with doctors and hospitals continuing to report outbreaks of the illness.


There have been 32 laboratory-confirmed deaths from the flu virus so far this winter, with most other patients dying from the B strain.
However, the true number of flu-related deaths is believed to be much higher as not everyone that dies with a flu-like illness is tested. They are also often a result of complications secondary to the patient's main underlying illness.
The flu is continuing to lead to hospitalisations and intensive care admissions, contributing to emergency-department overcrowding. It also contributed to higher than normal numbers dying in the first and last weeks of January.
...

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/health/swine-flu-death-toll-increases-to-20-this-winter-34516880.html

Influenza Surveillance in Ireland ? Weekly Report
Influenza Week 8 2016 (22nd ? 28th February 2016)

http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Surveillance/InfluenzaSurveillanceReports/20152016Season/File,15589,en.pdf

Summary
Influenza activity in Ireland was at moderate levels during week 8 2016 (week ending February 28, 2016).
Influenza A(H1)pdm09 is the predominant virus circulating. Reports of hospitalisations/ICU admissions
associated with influenza and influenza outbreaks remain elevated. It is recommended that antivirals be
considered for the treatment and prevention of influenza in high risk groups.

 Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 59.7 per 100,000
population in week 8 2016, a decrease compared to the updated rate of 71.1 per 100,000 reported during
week 7 2016.
o ILI rates remained above the Irish baseline ILI threshold (18 per 100,000 population).
o ILI age specific rates were highest in the 5-14 year age group.


 GP Out of Hours: The proportion of influenza?related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services decreased during
week 8 2016, however remained elevated.

 National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity reported from the NVRL for all respiratory
specimens (sentinel and non-sentinel) remained elevated at 32% during week 8 2016. Of 582 sentinel and
non-sentinel specimens tested, 186 were influenza positive: 115 A(H1)pdm09, 9 A(H3), 5 A (not subtyped)
and 57 B.
o Influenza A(H1)pdm09 is the predominant virus circulating; co-circulating with influenza B.
o Influenza A(H1)pdm09 positivity remains high, accounting for 62% of all flu positive specimens.
o RSV activity remains at low levels.

 All influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses characterised in Ireland this season, belong to genetic groups
that are antigenically similar to the strains recommended for inclusion in the 2015/2016 trivalent
influenza vaccines. Influenza B viruses characterised this season in Ireland, belong to the B/Victoria
lineage, these viruses are not present in the 2015/2016 trivalent vaccine used in Ireland. Trivalent
vaccines are the most widely used influenza vaccines in Europe.

 Respiratory admissions: Respiratory admissions reported from a network of sentinel hospitals decreased
for the fifth consecutive week during week 8 2016.

 Hospitalisations: 1065 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were notified to HPSC for the 2015/2016
season to date: 566 were associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 4 with A(H3), 153 with A (not subtyped)
and 342 with influenza B.

 Critical care admissions: 18 confirmed influenza cases admitted to critical care units were reported to
HPSC since the last surveillance report, bringing the season total to 103 cases.

 Mortality: 32 confirmed influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season.

 Outbreaks: Three influenza outbreaks in community hospitals/residential care facilities were notified to
HPSC during week 8 2016: one in HSE-E, one in HSE-NW and one in HSE-S.

 International: Overall, influenza activity remained widespread in Europe, with the majority of countries
reporting decreasing trends. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominated this season to date.
...
 Thirty-two confirmed influenza cases (20 associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, five with influenza A- not subtyped and seven with influenza B) died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season to
date. The median age of confirmed influenza cases who died this season is 64 years.
 No excess all-cause mortality was reported in Ireland during week 8 2016. For the 2015/2016 season to
date, excess all-cause mortality was reported during weeks 1 and 4 2016, after correcting GRO data for
reporting delays with the standardised EuroMOMO algorithm. Please note these data are provisional
due to the time delay in deaths? registration in Ireland.
...

[tetano]

Mayo man dies from swine flu

A man from the east Mayo region has died from the swine flu virus in the Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar. The HSE is encouraging people in the at-risk age groups to avail of the flu vaccine, as cases of swine flu have significantly increased in recent months.
?Deaths from swine flu are still very rare, but give cause for concern when they happen. Any virus can be dangerous, and the swine flu is contagious. We would encourage people to get the vaccinations at their local GPs,? said a GP in the south east Mayo region. ?It only takes a very short time to administer the vaccine,? he added.
Swine flu is now a ?seasonal? virus that circulates worldwide. The H1N1 flu strain, which causes the virus, has been included in the seasonal flu vaccine in Ireland since the 2010/11 influenza season.

http://www.mayonews.ie/news/27434-mayo-man-dies-from-swine-flu

[tetano]

Number of swine flu deaths in winter season rises to 26

Six more people died from swine flu in the first week of March, bringing the 2015/2016 seasonal total to 26.
Overall, 38 people have died from various strains of influenza. The six deaths recorded between February 29th and March 6th were all associated with the H1N1 strain, also known as swine flu.
There has been a downward trend in weekly flu detection rates, which stood at 42.9 per 100,000 population on March 6th compared to 60.8 the previous week. These figures are substantially above the national baseline figure of 18 per 100,000 which indicates the flu season is ongoing.
Latest figures from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) show there have been 1,258 confirmed cases of hospitalisation caused by influenza during the 2015/2016 season, with swine flu accounting for the highest number of these.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/number-of-swine-flu-deaths-in-winter-season-rises-to-26-1.2569879

[Ronan Kelly]

Influenza Surveillance in Ireland – Weekly Report
Influenza Week 9 2016 (29th February – 6th March 2016)
http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/I...e,15593,en.pdf

Summary
Influenza activity in Ireland decreased significantly during week 9 2016 (week ending March 6, 2016).
Influenza A(H1)pdm09 is the predominant virus circulating. Reports of hospitalisations/ICU admissions
associated with influenza and influenza outbreaks continue to be reported. It is recommended that
antivirals be considered for the treatment and prevention of influenza in high risk groups.

 Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 42.9 per 100,000
population in week 9 2016, a decrease compared to the updated rate of 60.8 per 100,000 reported during
week 8 2016.
o ILI rates remained above the Irish baseline ILI threshold (18 per 100,000 population).
o ILI age specific rates decreased in the 0-4, 5-14 and 15-64 year age groups and increased slightly
in those aged 65 years and older during week 9 2016, compared to the previous week.

 GP Out of Hours: The proportion of influenza–related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services decreased further
during week 9 2016.

 National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity reported from the NVRL for all respiratory
specimens (sentinel and non-sentinel) decreased to 22% during week 9 2016. Of 503 sentinel and non- sentinel specimens tested, 111 were influenza positive: 71 A(H1)pdm09, 2 A (H3), 2 A (not subtyped) and 36 B.
o Influenza A(H1)pdm09 is the predominant virus circulating; co-circulating with influenza B.
o Positive detections of influenza A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B decreased significantly during week
9 2016, compared to the previous week.
o RSV activity remains at low levels.

 All influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses characterised in Ireland this season, belong to genetic groups
that are antigenically similar to the strains recommended for inclusion in the 2015/2016 trivalent
influenza vaccines. Influenza B viruses characterised this season in Ireland, belong to the B/Victoria
lineage, these viruses are not present in the 2015/2016 trivalent vaccine used in Ireland. Trivalent
vaccines are the most widely used influenza vaccines in Europe.

 Respiratory admissions: Respiratory admissions reported from a network of sentinel hospitals increased
slightly during week 9 2016, compared to the previous week.

 Hospitalisations: 1258 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were notified to HPSC for the 2015/2016
season to date: 671 were associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 5 with A(H3), 170 with A (not subtyped)
and 412 with influenza B.

 Critical care admissions: Seven confirmed influenza cases admitted to critical care units were reported to
HPSC since the last surveillance report, bringing the season total to 110 cases.

 Mortality: 38 confirmed influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season.

 Outbreaks: Five acute respiratory/influenza outbreaks were notified to HPSC during week 9 2016.

 International: Overall, influenza activity remained widespread in Europe, with the majority of countries
reporting decreasing trends. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses predominated this season to date.
...
 Thirty-eight confirmed influenza cases (26 associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, five with influenza A- not subtyped and seven with influenza B) died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season to
date. The median age of confirmed influenza cases who died this season is 64 years.

 No excess all-cause mortality was reported in Ireland during week 9 2016. For the 2015/2016 season to
date, excess all-cause mortality was reported during weeks 1 and 4 2016, after correcting GRO data for
reporting delays with the standardised EuroMOMO algorithm. Please note these data are provisional
due to the time delay in deaths’ registration in Ireland.
...

[Ronan Kelly]

Influenza Week 10 2016 (7th ? 13th March 2016)

http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Surveillance/InfluenzaSurveillanceReports/20152016Season/File,15598,en.pdf

Summary
Influenza activity in Ireland continued to decrease during week 10 2016 (week ending March 13, 2016).
Influenza A(H1)pdm09 is the predominant virus circulating. Reports of hospitalisations/ICU admissions
associated with influenza and influenza outbreaks continue to be reported. It is recommended that
antivirals be considered for the treatment and prevention of influenza in high risk groups.

 Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 29.2 per 100,000
population in week 10 2016, a decrease compared to the updated rate of 40.7 per 100,000 reported
during week 9 2016.
o ILI rates remained above the Irish baseline ILI threshold (18 per 100,000 population).
o ILI age specific rates remained stable in the 0-4 year age group and decreased in all other age
groups.

 GP Out of Hours: The proportion of influenza?related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services decreased further.

 National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity reported from the NVRL for all respiratory
specimens (sentinel and non-sentinel) remained stable at 25% during week 10 2016. Of 486 sentinel and
non-sentinel specimens tested, 121 were influenza positive: 85 A(H1)pdm09, 2 A(H3), 4 A (not subtyped)
and 30 B.
o Influenza A(H1)pdm09 is the predominant virus circulating; co-circulating with influenza B. Overall, positive detections of influenza A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B have decreased each week
for four consecutive weeks.
o Sporadic detections of RSV, adenovirus and human metapneumovirus were reported during week
10 2016. RSV activity remains at low levels.

 All influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses characterised in Ireland this season, belong to genetic groups
that are antigenically similar to the strains recommended for inclusion in the 2015/2016 trivalent
influenza vaccines. Influenza B viruses characterised this season in Ireland, belong to the B/Victoria
lineage, these viruses are not present in the 2015/2016 trivalent vaccine used in Ireland. Trivalent
vaccines are the most widely used influenza vaccines in Europe.

 Hospitalisations: 1393 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were notified to HPSC for the 2015/2016
season to date: 738 were associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 6 with A(H3), 194 with A (not subtyped)
and 455 with influenza B.

 Critical care admissions: One confirmed influenza case admitted to a critical care unit was reported to
HPSC since the last surveillance report, bringing the season total to 111 cases.

 Mortality: 40 confirmed influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season.

 Outbreaks: Four acute respiratory/influenza outbreaks were notified to HPSC during week 10 2016.

 International: Overall, influenza activity remained widespread in Europe, with the majority of countries
reporting decreasing trends.
...
 Forty confirmed influenza cases (26 associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, seven with influenza A-not
subtyped and seven with influenza B) died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season to date.
The median age of confirmed influenza cases who died this season is 64 years.

 No excess all-cause mortality was reported in Ireland during week 10 2016. For the 2015/2016 season to
date, excess all-cause mortality was reported during weeks 1, 3 and 4 2016, after correcting GRO data for
reporting delays with the standardised EuroMOMO algorithm. Please note these data are provisional
due to the time delay in deaths? registration in Ireland.
...

[Ronan Kelly]

Influenza Surveillance in Ireland ? Weekly Report
Influenza Week 11 2016 (14th ? 20th March 2016)

http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Surveillance/InfluenzaSurveillanceReports/20152016Season/File,15613,en.pdf

Summary
Influenza activity in Ireland decreased significantly during week 11 2016 (week ending March 20, 2016).
Reports of hospitalisations/ICU admissions associated with influenza continue to be reported. Influenza
A(H1)pdm09 is the predominant virus circulating, co-circulating with influenza B.

 Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 16.9 per 100,000
population in week 11 2016, a decrease compared to the updated rate of 29.5 per 100,000 reported
during week 9 2016.
o ILI rates are now below the Irish baseline ILI threshold (18 per 100,000 population), following 10
weeks above baseline.
o ILI age specific rates decreased in all age groups during week 11 2016.

 GP Out of Hours: The proportion of influenza?related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services remained stable.

 National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity reported from the NVRL for all respiratory
specimens (sentinel and non-sentinel) decreased to 20% during week 11 2016. Of 366 sentinel and non- sentinel specimens tested, 72 were influenza positive: 43 A(H1)pdm09, 3 A(H3), 1 A (not subtyped) and 25 B.
o Influenza A(H1)pdm09 is the predominant virus circulating; co-circulating with influenza B. Overall, positive detections of influenza A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B have decreased each week
for five consecutive weeks.
o Sporadic detections of RSV, adenovirus, parainfluenza viruses and human metapneumovirus were
reported during week 11 2016. RSV activity remains at low levels.

 All influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses characterised in Ireland this season belong to genetic groups
that are antigenically similar to the strains recommended for inclusion in the 2015/2016 trivalent
influenza vaccines. Influenza B viruses characterised this season in Ireland belong to the B/Victoria
lineage; these viruses are not present in the 2015/2016 trivalent vaccine used in Ireland. Trivalent
vaccines are the most widely used influenza vaccines in Europe.

 Hospitalisations: 1510 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were notified to HPSC for the 2015/2016
season to date: 800 were associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 6 with A(H3), 221 with A (not subtyped)
and 483 with influenza B.

 Critical care admissions: 14 confirmed influenza cases admitted to critical care units were reported to
HPSC since the last surveillance report, bringing the season total to 125 cases.

 Mortality: 45 confirmed influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season.

 Outbreaks: Two acute respiratory/influenza outbreaks in HSE-E were notified to HPSC during week 11
2016.

 International: In the European Region, influenza activity may have peaked for the 2015/2016 season.
Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have predominated this season in most countries, although in recent
weeks there has been a shift towards influenza B circulation.
...
 Forty-five influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season to date: 29
associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, eight with influenza A-not subtyped, seven with influenza B and
one possible influenza case. The median age of confirmed influenza cases who died this season is 64
years.

 No excess all-cause mortality was reported in Ireland during week 11 2016. For the 2015/2016 season to
date, excess all-cause mortality was reported during weeks 1, 3 and 4 2016, after correcting GRO data for
reporting delays with the standardised EuroMOMO algorithm. Please note these data are provisional
due to the time delay in deaths? registration in Ireland.
...

[Ronan Kelly]

Influenza Surveillance in Ireland ? Weekly Report
Influenza Week 12 2016 (21st ? 27th March 2016)

http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Surveillance/InfluenzaSurveillanceReports/20152016Season/File,15627,en.pdf

Summary
Influenza activity in Ireland was at baseline levels during week 12 2016 (week ending March 27, 2016).
Reports of hospitalisations/ICU admissions associated with influenza continue to be reported. Influenza
A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B are co-circulating, with positivity continuing to decrease in recent weeks.

 Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 20.2 per 100,000
population in week 12 2016, a slight increase compared to the updated rate of 16.4 per 100,000 reported
during week 11 2016.
o During weeks 11 and 12 2016, ILI rates were fluctuating around the Irish baseline ILI threshold (18
per 100,000 population).
o ILI age specific rates were low in all age groups during week 12 2016.

 GP Out of Hours: The proportion of influenza?related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services decreased during
week 12 2016, compared to the previous week.

 National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity reported from the NVRL for all respiratory
specimens (sentinel and non-sentinel) decreased to 17% during week 12 2016. Of 278 sentinel and non- sentinel specimens tested, 48 were influenza positive: 24 A(H1)pdm09, 1 A(H3), 3 A (not subtyped) and 20 B.
o Influenza A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B are currently co-circulating. Overall, positive detections of
influenza A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B have decreased each week for six consecutive weeks.
o Sporadic detections of RSV, adenovirus and human metapneumovirus were reported during week
12 2016. RSV activity remains at low levels.

 All influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses characterised in Ireland this season belong to genetic groups
that are antigenically similar to the strains recommended for inclusion in the 2015/2016 trivalent
influenza vaccines. Influenza B viruses characterised this season in Ireland belong to the B/Victoria
lineage; these viruses are not present in the 2015/2016 trivalent vaccine used in Ireland. Trivalent
vaccines are the most widely used influenza vaccines in Europe.

 Hospitalisations: 1603 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were notified to HPSC for the 2015/2016
season to date: 849 were associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 6 with A(H3), 228 with A (not subtyped)
and 520 with influenza B.

 Critical care admissions: Two confirmed influenza cases admitted to critical care units were reported to
HPSC since the last surveillance report, bringing the season total to 127 cases.

 Mortality: 46 notified influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season.

 Outbreaks: No new acute respiratory/influenza outbreaks were notified to HPSC during week 12 2016.

 International: In the European Region, influenza activity has peaked for the 2015/2016 season. Influenza
A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have predominated this season in most countries, although in recent weeks there
has been a shift towards influenza B circulation.
...
 Forty-six notified influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season to date: 30
associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, eight with influenza A-not subtyped, seven with influenza B and
one possible influenza case. The median age of confirmed influenza cases who died this season is 64
years.

 No excess all-cause mortality was reported in Ireland during week 12 2016. For the 2015/2016 season to
date, excess all-cause mortality was reported during weeks 1, 3 and 4 2016, after correcting GRO data for
reporting delays with the standardised EuroMOMO algorithm. Please note these data are provisional
due to the time delay in deaths? registration in Ireland.
...

[Ronan Kelly]

Influenza Surveillance in Ireland ? Weekly Report
Influenza Week 13 2016 (28th March ? 3rd April 2016)

http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Surveillance/InfluenzaSurveillanceReports/20152016Season/File,15643,en.pdf

Summary
Influenza activity in Ireland was at low levels during week 13 2016 (week ending April 3, 2016). Reports of
hospitalisations associated with influenza continue to be reported; although at decreased levels. Influenza
A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B are co-circulating at low levels, with positivity continuing to decrease in
recent weeks.

 Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 8.6 per 100,000
population in week 13 2016, a significant decrease compared to the updated rate of 17.7 per 100,000
reported during week 12 2016.
o The latest updated ILI rates for weeks 11 to 13 2016 were below the Irish baseline ILI threshold
(18 per 100,000 population), following 10 consecutive weeks above baseline levels.
o ILI age specific rates were low in all age groups during week 13 2016.

 GP Out of Hours: The proportion of influenza?related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services continued to
decrease during week 13 2016.

 National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity reported from the NVRL for all respiratory
specimens (sentinel and non-sentinel) decreased to 11% during week 13 2016. Of 283 sentinel and non- sentinel specimens tested, 31 were influenza positive: 14 A(H1)pdm09, 2 A (not subtyped) and 15 B.
o Influenza A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B are currently co-circulating at low levels.
o Sporadic detections of RSV, parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus and human metapneumovirus were
reported during week 13 2016. RSV activity remains at low levels.

 All influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses characterised in Ireland this season belong to genetic groups
that are antigenically similar to the strains recommended for inclusion in the 2015/2016 trivalent
influenza vaccines. Influenza B viruses characterised this season in Ireland belong to the B/Victoria
lineage; these viruses are not present in the 2015/2016 trivalent vaccine used in Ireland. Trivalent
vaccines are the most widely used influenza vaccines in Europe.

 Hospitalisations: For the 2015/2016 season to date, 1677 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were
notified to HPSC: 881 were associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 7 with A(H3), 244 with A (not
subtyped) and 545 with influenza B.

 Critical care admissions: Twelve confirmed influenza cases admitted to critical care units were reported to
HPSC since the last surveillance report, bringing the season total to 139 cases. It should be noted that only
one new case was admitted to a critical care unit during week 13 2016.

 Mortality: 54 notified influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season to date.

 Outbreaks: One influenza B outbreak in HSE-S and two acute respiratory infection outbreaks (one in HSE-E
and one in HSE-NW) were notified to HPSC during the week ending April 3, 2016. All three outbreaks were
in community hospitals/residential care facilities.

 International: In the European Region, most countries are reporting decreasing trends in influenza
activity. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have predominated this season in most countries, although in
recent weeks there has been a shift towards influenza B circulation.
...
 Fifty-four notified influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season to date: 38
associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, eight with influenza A-not subtyped, seven with influenza B and
one possible influenza case. The median age of confirmed influenza cases who died this season is 64
years.

 No excess all-cause mortality was reported in Ireland during week 13 2016. For the 2015/2016 season to
date, excess all-cause mortality was reported during weeks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 2016, after correcting GRO
data for reporting delays with the standardised EuroMOMO algorithm. Please note these data are
provisional due to the time delay in deaths? registration in Ireland.
...

[Ronan Kelly]

Influenza Surveillance in Ireland ? Weekly Report
Influenza Weeks 14 & 15 2016 (4th ? 17th April 2016)

http://www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/Respiratory/Influenza/SeasonalInfluenza/Surveillance/InfluenzaSurveillanceReports/20152016Season/File,15653,en.pdf

Summary
Influenza activity in Ireland was at low levels during weeks 14 and 15 2016 (weeks ending April 10th and
17th
, 2016). Sporadic cases of influenza A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B continue to be reported in community
and hospital settings, at low and decreasing levels.

 Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP influenza-like illness (ILI) consultation rate was 7.4 per 100,000
population in week 15 2016, a slight decrease compared to the rate of 8.9 per 100,000 reported during
week 14 2016.
o ILI rates have remained below the Irish baseline ILI threshold (18 per 100,000 population), for five
consecutive weeks.
o ILI age specific rates were low in all age groups during weeks 14 and 15 2016.

 GP Out of Hours: The proportion of influenza?related calls to GP Out-of-Hours services during weeks 14
and 15 2016, continued to decrease and was at low levels.

 National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity reported from the NVRL for all respiratory
specimens (sentinel and non-sentinel) decreased to 15% during week 14 2016 and 8% during week 15
2016. Sporadic detections of influenza A(H1)pdm09 and influenza B continue to be detected at low levels.

 Sporadic detections of RSV, parainfluenza viruses, adenovirus and human metapneumovirus were
reported during weeks 14 and 15 2016.

 All influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses characterised in Ireland this season belong to genetic groups
that are antigenically similar to the strains recommended for inclusion in the 2015/2016 trivalent
influenza vaccines. Influenza B viruses characterised this season in Ireland belong to the B/Victoria
lineage; these viruses are not present in the 2015/2016 trivalent vaccine used in Ireland. Trivalent
vaccines are the most widely used influenza vaccines in Europe.

 Hospitalisations: For the 2015/2016 season to date, 1760 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were
notified to HPSC: 922 were associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 7 with A(H3), 258 with A (not
subtyped) and 573 with influenza B.

 Critical care admissions: The last reported confirmed influenza case admitted to a critical care unit was on
April 9th 2016. For the 2015/2016 season to date, 152 confirmed influenza cases (106 associated with
influenza A(H1)pdm09, one with A(H3), 19 with influenza A-not subtyped and 26 with influenza B) were
admitted to critical care units and reported to HPSC.

 Mortality: 67 notified influenza cases died and were reported to HPSC for the 2015/2016 season to date.

 Outbreaks: Four influenza A(H1)pdm09 outbreaks were reported during weeks 14 and 15 2016 (two in
HSE-MW, one in HSE-S and one in HSE-W). One outbreak was in an acute hospital setting and three were
in community hospitals/residential care facilities.

 International: Influenza activity continued to decrease in the European Region, with most countries
reporting decreasing trends. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses have predominated this season in most
countries, although in recent weeks there has been a shift towards influenza B circulation.
...