AlaskaDenise
In Memoriam
GPs are seeing a reduction in the numbers of influenza-like illnesses (ILI), as consultation rates for ILIs decreased from 42.9 per 100,000 to 34.6 for the five days to February 1, according to the latest report from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC).
However, despite the de-crease recorded for week five (January 26 to February 1), the Centre warned that the rates remained higher than the Irish baseline threshold of 17.8 per 100,000, above which the use of antiviral drugs is triggered.
According to the HPSC: ?The ILI rate decreased in all age-groups except in those aged five to 14 years, where the rate remained stable. ?
Genetic characterisation of the two influenza A (H3) viruses identified this season confirms them to be A/Brisbane/10/2007-like virus, which is included as a component in the 2008/2009 influenza vaccine.?
Due to the current level of influenza activity seen in Ireland, antiviral drugs for the prevention and/or treatment of influenza in at-risk patients continues to be recommended in line with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) UK guidelines.
http://www.imt.ie/news/2009/02/reduction_in_flu_numbers_at_la.html
However, despite the de-crease recorded for week five (January 26 to February 1), the Centre warned that the rates remained higher than the Irish baseline threshold of 17.8 per 100,000, above which the use of antiviral drugs is triggered.
According to the HPSC: ?The ILI rate decreased in all age-groups except in those aged five to 14 years, where the rate remained stable. ?
Genetic characterisation of the two influenza A (H3) viruses identified this season confirms them to be A/Brisbane/10/2007-like virus, which is included as a component in the 2008/2009 influenza vaccine.?
Due to the current level of influenza activity seen in Ireland, antiviral drugs for the prevention and/or treatment of influenza in at-risk patients continues to be recommended in line with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) UK guidelines.
http://www.imt.ie/news/2009/02/reduction_in_flu_numbers_at_la.html