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Ireland Seasonal Influenza 2025-26
- Thread starter Commonground
- Start date
Commonground
Senior Moderator
Week 46
https://x.com/publichealthni/status/1991516794704781444
Six flu deaths in Ireland as virus arrives ‘much earlier’ this year
Thu Nov 20 2025
There have been six flu deaths in Ireland this winter season so far, as the European infectious diseases watchdog warned that the virus has arrived “much earlier” this year.
On Thursday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published the latest figures for the spread of respiratory illnesses in the State, and found influenza activity has increased but remains at “low levels”.
-snip-
Cases increased by 39 per cent, from 457 cases to 637 cases in the week ending November 15th, while hospitalisations rose by 9 per cent from 108 to 118 during that period.
https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2...land-as-virus-arrives-much-earlier-this-year/
https://x.com/publichealthni/status/1991516794704781444
Six flu deaths in Ireland as virus arrives ‘much earlier’ this year
Thu Nov 20 2025
There have been six flu deaths in Ireland this winter season so far, as the European infectious diseases watchdog warned that the virus has arrived “much earlier” this year.
On Thursday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published the latest figures for the spread of respiratory illnesses in the State, and found influenza activity has increased but remains at “low levels”.
-snip-
Cases increased by 39 per cent, from 457 cases to 637 cases in the week ending November 15th, while hospitalisations rose by 9 per cent from 108 to 118 during that period.
https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2...land-as-virus-arrives-much-earlier-this-year/
Commonground
Senior Moderator
'This is the most severe flu outbreak that I've experienced' - children's doctor
13 hours ago
Flu cases among adults and children across Northern Ireland have more than trebled in the last two weeks, rising from 273 to 954, official figures show.
Children and young people have been particularly affected and were admitted to hospital with flu with higher rates than any other age group in the week ending 23 November.
In that same week the positivity rate for influenza was highest among children aged five to 14 in Northern Ireland, at 52.3%.
Cases rose from 273 to 484 in the week up to 23 November and then jumped to 954 in the week ending 30 November.
continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4q5g2ww55o
13 hours ago
Flu cases among adults and children across Northern Ireland have more than trebled in the last two weeks, rising from 273 to 954, official figures show.
Children and young people have been particularly affected and were admitted to hospital with flu with higher rates than any other age group in the week ending 23 November.
In that same week the positivity rate for influenza was highest among children aged five to 14 in Northern Ireland, at 52.3%.
Cases rose from 273 to 484 in the week up to 23 November and then jumped to 954 in the week ending 30 November.
continued: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4q5g2ww55o
Commonground
Senior Moderator
Equivalent of two large hospitals needed to deal with expected Irish flu surge, doctors warn
Dec 07 2025
Excerpts:
Up to 1,000 hospital beds will be needed for people requiring admission for the flu as part of a surge in cases expected in the coming weeks, doctors have warned.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said the equivalent of two large hospitals will soon be occupied by patients with flu across the State.
This would put significant pressure on a hospital system already challenged by a shortage of beds, the doctors’ trade union said.
Dr Peadar Gilligan, consultant in emergency medicine at Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital, said nine people have died as a result of flu this year in Ireland. All but one were over the age of 65.
-snip-
He said cases reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) have doubled over the last two weeks, while more than 500 people have been hospitalised with the flu. This figure is projected to surpass 1,000 in the coming weeks, he said.
-snip-
Dr Gilligan said that, even before the influenza season started, most acute hospitals were using their surge capacity, including assigning inpatients to chairs and trolleys in day wards and dealing with extra patients on wards and emergency department corridors.
-snip-
“Crowding of acute hospitals both in their emergency departments and on their wards leads to challenges in reducing the spread of infection. Hospitalised patients are already sick and it is important that they are not exposed to an increased risk of infection when in emergency departments and on hospital wards.”
-snip-
HSE chief executive officer Bernard Gloster said that as part of a “robust response” to the flu season, additional GP clinics would take place which would see patients outside of regular hours during the week as well as in Saturday.
He said about 140,000 patients overall would be expected to be seen in these special GP clinics which would start on Monday.
...https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2...to-deal-with-expected-flu-surge-doctors-warn/
Dec 07 2025
Excerpts:
Up to 1,000 hospital beds will be needed for people requiring admission for the flu as part of a surge in cases expected in the coming weeks, doctors have warned.
The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) said the equivalent of two large hospitals will soon be occupied by patients with flu across the State.
This would put significant pressure on a hospital system already challenged by a shortage of beds, the doctors’ trade union said.
Dr Peadar Gilligan, consultant in emergency medicine at Dublin’s Beaumont Hospital, said nine people have died as a result of flu this year in Ireland. All but one were over the age of 65.
-snip-
He said cases reported to the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) have doubled over the last two weeks, while more than 500 people have been hospitalised with the flu. This figure is projected to surpass 1,000 in the coming weeks, he said.
-snip-
Dr Gilligan said that, even before the influenza season started, most acute hospitals were using their surge capacity, including assigning inpatients to chairs and trolleys in day wards and dealing with extra patients on wards and emergency department corridors.
-snip-
“Crowding of acute hospitals both in their emergency departments and on their wards leads to challenges in reducing the spread of infection. Hospitalised patients are already sick and it is important that they are not exposed to an increased risk of infection when in emergency departments and on hospital wards.”
-snip-
HSE chief executive officer Bernard Gloster said that as part of a “robust response” to the flu season, additional GP clinics would take place which would see patients outside of regular hours during the week as well as in Saturday.
He said about 140,000 patients overall would be expected to be seen in these special GP clinics which would start on Monday.
...https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2...to-deal-with-expected-flu-surge-doctors-warn/
Commonground
Senior Moderator
HSE enforce visitor restrictions across several hospitals as ‘hard and fast’ flu hit sparks Christmas surge concern
Published: 17:01, 7 Dec 2025
Excerpt:
The HSE confirmed they were enforcing the visitor measures in Munster as certain hospitals were experiencing a high number of influenza patients.
The restrictions apply to University Hospital Kerry; Cork University Hospital; Bantry General Hospital and Mallow General Hospital.
In a statement issued on Sunday HSE South said the new rules would be “strictly enforced” as the illness grips the country.
A spokesperson said: “In order to reduce the spread of influenza in healthcare settings, all HSE hospitals in Kerry and Cork are today introducing visiting restrictions.”
One visitor per patient will be allowed during visiting times, and all visitors are asked to wear surgical masks provided by the hospital.
The spokesperson added: “Visiting times at each hospital will be strictly enforced.”
... https://www.thesun.ie/health/162148...ctions-hospitals-flu-vases-vaccine-christmas/
Published: 17:01, 7 Dec 2025
Excerpt:
The HSE confirmed they were enforcing the visitor measures in Munster as certain hospitals were experiencing a high number of influenza patients.
The restrictions apply to University Hospital Kerry; Cork University Hospital; Bantry General Hospital and Mallow General Hospital.
In a statement issued on Sunday HSE South said the new rules would be “strictly enforced” as the illness grips the country.
A spokesperson said: “In order to reduce the spread of influenza in healthcare settings, all HSE hospitals in Kerry and Cork are today introducing visiting restrictions.”
One visitor per patient will be allowed during visiting times, and all visitors are asked to wear surgical masks provided by the hospital.
The spokesperson added: “Visiting times at each hospital will be strictly enforced.”
... https://www.thesun.ie/health/162148...ctions-hospitals-flu-vases-vaccine-christmas/
Commonground
Senior Moderator
December 10, 2025
Number of people hospitalised with flu increases by almost 60% in two weeks
Excerpts:
On Wednesday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published the latest figures for respiratory illnesses in the State, up to December 6th.
...According to the infectious diseases watchdog, there were 2,944 cases of the flu notified in the State last week, up from 1,971 two weeks earlier – a 49 per cent increase.
A total of 657 patients were in hospital with the virus, up 58 per cent on the 415 cases notified at the end of November.
-snip-
There were 50 outbreaks of flu last week, of which 48 were in healthcare and residential institutions. Of those within healthcare settings, 26 were in hospitals.
Health chiefs are concerned the hospital system will be under “significant pressures” in coming weeks due to the early arrival of the flu, which is expected to peak around Christmas time, at which point there could be up to 1,500 patients in hospital with the illness.
... On Wednesday morning, there were 20 children waiting for a bed across the three Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) sites....“Children will have to stay in the emergency department until a bed becomes available. It’s small, we don’t have a lot of single cubicles, it’s noisy. It’s not the ideal environment for somebody who is sick and you’re trying to get them better,” she said
...There were 434 patients waiting on hospital trolleys for a bed on Wednesday morning, of whom 70 were waiting more than 24 hours....
https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2...with-flu-increases-by-almost-60-in-two-weeks/
Number of people hospitalised with flu increases by almost 60% in two weeks
Excerpts:
On Wednesday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) published the latest figures for respiratory illnesses in the State, up to December 6th.
...According to the infectious diseases watchdog, there were 2,944 cases of the flu notified in the State last week, up from 1,971 two weeks earlier – a 49 per cent increase.
A total of 657 patients were in hospital with the virus, up 58 per cent on the 415 cases notified at the end of November.
-snip-
There were 50 outbreaks of flu last week, of which 48 were in healthcare and residential institutions. Of those within healthcare settings, 26 were in hospitals.
Health chiefs are concerned the hospital system will be under “significant pressures” in coming weeks due to the early arrival of the flu, which is expected to peak around Christmas time, at which point there could be up to 1,500 patients in hospital with the illness.
... On Wednesday morning, there were 20 children waiting for a bed across the three Children’s Health Ireland (CHI) sites....“Children will have to stay in the emergency department until a bed becomes available. It’s small, we don’t have a lot of single cubicles, it’s noisy. It’s not the ideal environment for somebody who is sick and you’re trying to get them better,” she said
...There were 434 patients waiting on hospital trolleys for a bed on Wednesday morning, of whom 70 were waiting more than 24 hours....
https://www.irishtimes.com/health/2...with-flu-increases-by-almost-60-in-two-weeks/
Commonground
Senior Moderator
Press Release
Minister for Health Highlights Robust Measures in Place to Protect Public Health During Winter Season
Influenza activity began earlier than usual, with hospitalisations rising alongside case numbers. Norovirus, a common cause of gastroenteritis, is also circulating at high levels and modelling by the National Health Protection Office indicates significant pressure on healthcare services over the start of 2026.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
A range of actions have been implemented, including:
Coupled with vaccines, simple measures can be taken at home to reduce the spread and risk of serious illness, such as practicing good hand hygiene, coughing or sneezing into elbows and especially staying at home when sick.
The HSE is adding 20,000 clinical hours for respiratory care, with additional GP clinics running from 8 December to 15 February, plus up to 20,000 of extra Out-of-Hours GP hours from 27 December to 26 January.
The Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan includes measures to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, improve emergency department operations, and strengthen seven-day services, including extended hours for senior decision-makers and standardised Injury Unit opening times (8am–8pm, seven days a week, including Bank Holidays).
Further information on vaccine eligibility and clinic locations is available at https://www.hse.ie
Notes to Editor:
Implementation of the Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan 2025/26
Minister for Health Highlights Robust Measures in Place to Protect Public Health During Winter Season
- From: Department of Health
- Published on: 2 January 2026
- Last updated on: 2 January 2026
Influenza activity began earlier than usual, with hospitalisations rising alongside case numbers. Norovirus, a common cause of gastroenteritis, is also circulating at high levels and modelling by the National Health Protection Office indicates significant pressure on healthcare services over the start of 2026.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“I am so grateful to all our healthcare staff for their work over this Christmas period. We have, through systemic change, seen a significant reduction in trolley numbers across the year but particularly over the Christmas period. During December 2025, 28% fewer patients were waiting on trolleys compared to December 2024, despite the pressures of an early and active influenza season.
“We put several measures in place ahead of Christmas including vaccination programmes, extra GP clinics, longer opening hours, and a stronger focus on productivity, to protect the most vulnerable and to protect our health service. Alongside the vaccine programme, we’re also increasing GP capacity with extended hours and weekend appointments and rolling out the Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan to improve patient flow and strengthen services across all seven days of the week.
“Together, these steps are helping to reduce pressure on hospitals, support timely care for older and vulnerable patients and keep our health service resilient during this challenging period.
“Vaccination remains central to this effort, and I urge everyone eligible to get their flu and COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. Ahead of the first weekend of 2026, we are asking everyone to choose the right door for your care. Our teams and our service have done well but our work is not over yet.”
A range of actions have been implemented, including:
- Immunisation programmes for influenza, COVID-19, and RSV which have been delivering vaccines and immunisations to vulnerable adults and children since early autumn.
- Implementation of the Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan to improve patient flow and deliver timely, appropriate care for older and vulnerable patients.
- Extra GP clinics with extended hours and weekend sessions, to help reduce pressure on Emergency Departments.
- Advice and support to patients on the range of resources available to them for care, including pharmacies, minor injury units and online resources such as HSELive.
Coupled with vaccines, simple measures can be taken at home to reduce the spread and risk of serious illness, such as practicing good hand hygiene, coughing or sneezing into elbows and especially staying at home when sick.
The HSE is adding 20,000 clinical hours for respiratory care, with additional GP clinics running from 8 December to 15 February, plus up to 20,000 of extra Out-of-Hours GP hours from 27 December to 26 January.
The Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan includes measures to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, improve emergency department operations, and strengthen seven-day services, including extended hours for senior decision-makers and standardised Injury Unit opening times (8am–8pm, seven days a week, including Bank Holidays).
Further information on vaccine eligibility and clinic locations is available at https://www.hse.ie
Notes to Editor:
Implementation of the Urgent and Emergency Care Operational Plan 2025/26
- Provisional data shows that nationally there was an 11% reduction in patients waiting on trolleys at 8am in 2025, compared to 2024.
- This is despite a 4% increase in the number of all attendances, with an 8% increase in the number of over 75’s compared to the same period last year.
- There was a 28% reduction in patients waiting on trolleys at 8am in December 2025 compared to December 2024.
- Provisional data indicates there was a 1% increase in ED attendances for December 2025 compared to December 2024, with a 4% increase in the number of over 75’s in the same time period (subject to validation)
- This can be of particular concern when related to the most vulnerable amongst us, the over 75 cohort, who tend to present with greater acuity and complexity which can result in longer stays.
- The Government is committed to delivering safe and timely healthcare to all patients but particularly, the most vulnerable. A key target of the HSE’s current Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) Operational Plan 2025/2026 is to ensure 99% of elderly patients are either admitted or discharged from the ED within 24 hours.
- The UEC Plan provides a comprehensive framework, covering hospital avoidance, ED operations, in-hospital care delivery, and discharge management.
- The third iteration of the UEC Plan also includes targeted actions and reform initiatives such as providing additional and extended hours for senior decision makers and staff integral to supporting 7/7 operations; and standardising the opening hours of all Injury Units to provide a 7-day service, 8am to 8pm, including Bank Holidays.
- The HSE is offering free flu vaccines at participating GP clinics, pharmacies, and community health centres.
- All healthcare workers are recommended to get the flu vaccine. Vaccination clinics will take place in many workplaces across the country. Healthcare workers can also get their vaccine in the community at participating GP clinics and pharmacies.
- The children’s flu vaccine is also available for all children aged two to 17 years from participating GPs and pharmacies.
- The Health Service Executive (HSE) will support GP practices across the country to provide, further to their daytime normal surgery hours, additional in-person sessions for respiratory/acute consultations.
- These clinics may be provided from 7am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm on weekdays and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. This will total an additional 20,000 clinical hours to target respiratory issues, with these additional clinics running from 8 December to 15 February. It is anticipated that approximately 140,000 patients will be seen at the additional GP clinics, including over 90,000 public patients (medical card and GP visit card holders).
- Advice, support and care is available through a range of resources, including in pharmacies, minor injury units and through online resources such as HSELive.