Ronan Kelly
Retired 2020
Re: Ireland Influenza Surveillance 2013-2014
Influenza Surveillance in Ireland ? Weekly Report
Influenza Week 10 2014 (3rd ? 9th March 2014)
Summary
Influenza activity remained at elevated levels in Ireland during week 10 2014, with continuing reports of
confirmed influenza hospital and ICU admissions and outbreaks. Influenza A(H3) is the predominant virus
circulating, and is co-circulating with influenza A(H1)pdm09. Some indicators of influenza activity have
started to decrease.
Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP ILI consultation rate was 49.1 per 100,000 population during
week 10 2014, a slight decrease compared to the updated rate of 54.1 per 100,000 during week 9 2014.
o ILI rates remain above the Irish baseline threshold (21.0 per 100,000 population), for the sixth
consecutive week. o The highest age specific ILI rates during week 10 2014 were in the 0-4 and 15-64 year age groups.
National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity decreased during week 10 2014, with 139
(24.8%) influenza positive specimens reported from the NVRL: 96 influenza A(H3), 33 influenza
A(H1)pdm09, 8 influenza A (not subtyped) and 2 influenza B.
Hospitalisation: 113 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were reported to HPSC during week 10 2014,
bringing the total number of hospitalised cases reported this season to 400. o The highest age specific rates for confirmed influenza cases admitted to hospital were in those
aged less than 1 year and those aged 65 years and older.
ICU admissions: 62 confirmed influenza cases were admitted to ICU and reported to HPSC to date this
season, 30 associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 19 with A(H3), 13 A (not subtyped).
Mortality: 19 influenza-associated deaths were reported to HPSC to date this season.
Outbreaks: 14 acute respiratory outbreaks were reported to HPSC during week 10 2014, the majority in
residential care facilities/long stay units/community hospitals.
Europe: The status of the 2013/2014 influenza season has varied considerably between EU/EEA Member
States. Some countries are experiencing decreasing influenza activity whilst others have reported
increasing activity and high ILI/ARI rates. Influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses are co-circulating in
outpatient settings; however, A(H1)pdm09 is predominant in hospitalised cases.
...
http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Respira...lanceReports/20132014Season/File,14552,en.pdf
Increase in influenza-like illness
During week 9 2014 (week ending March 2nd), the general practitioner consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) in Ireland increased to 53.6 per 100,000 population from an updated rate of 50.5 per 100,000 during week 8 (week ending February 23rd). This rate exceeds the Irish baseline threshold of 21 per 100,000 for the fifth consecutive week (used to assess influenza activity during the 2013/2014 influenza season in Ireland). The rate of increase during week 9 was most pronounced in the 5-14 year age group. Influenza A(H3) is the predominant virus in circulation with influenza A(H1)pdm09 co-circulating. The flu report for week 9 is available here.
Due to the levels of influenza activity reported last week in Ireland, antiviral drugs for the treatment and/or prevention of influenza in at-risk patients are recommended in line with the Interim guidelines on the use of antivirals for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza which are available here.
...
http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/News/MainBody,14551,en.html
Influenza Surveillance in Ireland ? Weekly Report
Influenza Week 10 2014 (3rd ? 9th March 2014)
Summary
Influenza activity remained at elevated levels in Ireland during week 10 2014, with continuing reports of
confirmed influenza hospital and ICU admissions and outbreaks. Influenza A(H3) is the predominant virus
circulating, and is co-circulating with influenza A(H1)pdm09. Some indicators of influenza activity have
started to decrease.
Influenza-like illness (ILI): The sentinel GP ILI consultation rate was 49.1 per 100,000 population during
week 10 2014, a slight decrease compared to the updated rate of 54.1 per 100,000 during week 9 2014.
o ILI rates remain above the Irish baseline threshold (21.0 per 100,000 population), for the sixth
consecutive week. o The highest age specific ILI rates during week 10 2014 were in the 0-4 and 15-64 year age groups.
National Virus Reference Laboratory (NVRL): Influenza positivity decreased during week 10 2014, with 139
(24.8%) influenza positive specimens reported from the NVRL: 96 influenza A(H3), 33 influenza
A(H1)pdm09, 8 influenza A (not subtyped) and 2 influenza B.
Hospitalisation: 113 confirmed influenza hospitalised cases were reported to HPSC during week 10 2014,
bringing the total number of hospitalised cases reported this season to 400. o The highest age specific rates for confirmed influenza cases admitted to hospital were in those
aged less than 1 year and those aged 65 years and older.
ICU admissions: 62 confirmed influenza cases were admitted to ICU and reported to HPSC to date this
season, 30 associated with influenza A(H1)pdm09, 19 with A(H3), 13 A (not subtyped).
Mortality: 19 influenza-associated deaths were reported to HPSC to date this season.
Outbreaks: 14 acute respiratory outbreaks were reported to HPSC during week 10 2014, the majority in
residential care facilities/long stay units/community hospitals.
Europe: The status of the 2013/2014 influenza season has varied considerably between EU/EEA Member
States. Some countries are experiencing decreasing influenza activity whilst others have reported
increasing activity and high ILI/ARI rates. Influenza A(H1)pdm09 and A(H3) viruses are co-circulating in
outpatient settings; however, A(H1)pdm09 is predominant in hospitalised cases.
...
http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-Z/Respira...lanceReports/20132014Season/File,14552,en.pdf
Increase in influenza-like illness
During week 9 2014 (week ending March 2nd), the general practitioner consultation rate for influenza-like illness (ILI) in Ireland increased to 53.6 per 100,000 population from an updated rate of 50.5 per 100,000 during week 8 (week ending February 23rd). This rate exceeds the Irish baseline threshold of 21 per 100,000 for the fifth consecutive week (used to assess influenza activity during the 2013/2014 influenza season in Ireland). The rate of increase during week 9 was most pronounced in the 5-14 year age group. Influenza A(H3) is the predominant virus in circulation with influenza A(H1)pdm09 co-circulating. The flu report for week 9 is available here.
Due to the levels of influenza activity reported last week in Ireland, antiviral drugs for the treatment and/or prevention of influenza in at-risk patients are recommended in line with the Interim guidelines on the use of antivirals for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza which are available here.
...
http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/News/MainBody,14551,en.html