Northern Ireland swine flu rate increases

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Source: http://www.u.tv/News/NI-swine-flu-rate-increases/5afa55c8-9594-441e-9a80-0c3620483e66

Thursday, 06 January 2011
NI swine flu rate increases
Swine Flu is on the increase in Northern Ireland

Swine flu continues to rise in Northern Ireland, according to the latest figures from the Public Health Agency.

A total of 185 people had the H1N1 virus in the last week of December.

This indicates an increase of 49 cases on the previous week.

The rates are highest in the 15-44 age group.

G.P. consultation rates also shot up by 45% from 179.5 per 100,000 population.

Meanwhile, swine flu cases have doubled in the past week in the Republic of Ireland.

The Department of Health and Children reported 5,400 cases.

26 flu patients are currently being treated in intensive care in southern hospitals...

 

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Re: Northern Ireland swine flu rate increases

Source: http://www.portadowntimes.co.uk/news/Man-in-his-40s-dies.6682149.jpMan in his 40s dies from swine flu

Man in his 40s dies from swine flu
Published Date: 06 January 2011

A MAN in his 40s has died from swine flu in Craigavon Area Hospital, the Portadown Times has learned.

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has declined to give any information on the death, but it is understood the man was one of several people in Craigavon suffering from swine flu.

Hospital sources said the man was a member of a large extended family and was married with young children. He was buried at the start of the week.
It is understood that four or five patients with swine flu were being treated in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit and that cases had risen by 50 per cent.
However, a spokesman for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust would only say, "We cannot comment on individual cases, due to patient confidentiality."

In a statement, the Trust referred the Portadown Times to the Public Health Agency (PHA) website which gives statistics on flu-related illnesses for Northern Ireland.

Official bulletins referring to Christmas week showed that the overall figure for the province then had doubled to 129 cases, but new figures released yesterday (Thursday) showed an increase to 185 by the last week of 2010.
These statistics cover a wide range of deaths connected to "selected respiratory infections, some of which may be attributed to influenza", but associates flu with illnesses like bronchitis and pneumonia...