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15/01/2010
Flu Pandemic 'Exaggerated'
Northern Ireland's latest swine flu figures are still on the way down.
The new local figures have just been been released as several European countries are raising questions about the swine flu crisis - inferring it was "a false pandemic" - allowing pharmaceutical companies to put pressure on health ministers to order more vaccine than their countries needed.
Locally, the crisis continues to abate with GP consultation rates for flu falling last week from 55.5 in Wk 53 to 48.8/100,000 population in Wk 1 - a 12% decrease.
The Department of Health said the rates remain below the Northern Ireland threshold for seasonal influenza activity.
There were four swine flu detections over the last week as compared to three in Wk 53 and there has been a cumulative total of 1,358 swine flu detections as at noon 13 January with a cumulative total of 578 hospitalised swine flu cases.
There were just three new hospitalised cases reported in the first week of this year and no new swine flu related deaths.
The total number of swine flu related deaths in NI remains at 17 (or 19 counting two local people who died outside the Province).
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Elizabeth Mitchell said: "Swine flu has now been circulating within Northern Ireland since May 2009.
"We have seen two waves of infection from the virus and our planning and preparation has meant that the likelihood of a further wave has been significantly reduced.
"This is due in part to the extent in which the virus has already circulated in the community, and also as a result of the very successful vaccination programme."
She also urged against complacency and said: "We know from experience of previous pandemics that flu viruses can be unpredictable so we can not completely rule out the possibility of a further wave. We will therefore continue to monitor the situation carefully and adapt our plans accordingly."
Meanwhile, although more than 12,700 people worldwide have died from H1N1 swine flu, the virus does not appear to be as deadly as many people expected.
According to the news website, Medical News Today, some European politicians have accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) of exaggerating the dangers of swine flu.
They said a WHO spokeswoman in Geneva acknowledged there were questions that needed answers and that a review of how the WHO handled the pandemic would be done with independent experts and would be made public.
However, they will wait until the pandemic is declared over, so it could be months yet before any report emerges.
Many mainland Europe countries are also looking to cut back on orders of vaccine or sell a large part of their stockpile as they think pharmaceutical companies put excessive pressure on them to stock-up initially.
This week too, the UK Government formally also abandoned its weekly swine flu briefings after new cases plunged over the past month prompting the Department of Health to abandon its regular media briefing.
(BMcC/GK)
The new local figures have just been been released as several European countries are raising questions about the swine flu crisis - inferring it was "a false pandemic" - allowing pharmaceutical companies to put pressure on health ministers to order more vaccine than their countries needed.
Locally, the crisis continues to abate with GP consultation rates for flu falling last week from 55.5 in Wk 53 to 48.8/100,000 population in Wk 1 - a 12% decrease.
The Department of Health said the rates remain below the Northern Ireland threshold for seasonal influenza activity.
There were four swine flu detections over the last week as compared to three in Wk 53 and there has been a cumulative total of 1,358 swine flu detections as at noon 13 January with a cumulative total of 578 hospitalised swine flu cases.
There were just three new hospitalised cases reported in the first week of this year and no new swine flu related deaths.
The total number of swine flu related deaths in NI remains at 17 (or 19 counting two local people who died outside the Province).
Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Elizabeth Mitchell said: "Swine flu has now been circulating within Northern Ireland since May 2009.
"We have seen two waves of infection from the virus and our planning and preparation has meant that the likelihood of a further wave has been significantly reduced.
"This is due in part to the extent in which the virus has already circulated in the community, and also as a result of the very successful vaccination programme."
She also urged against complacency and said: "We know from experience of previous pandemics that flu viruses can be unpredictable so we can not completely rule out the possibility of a further wave. We will therefore continue to monitor the situation carefully and adapt our plans accordingly."
Meanwhile, although more than 12,700 people worldwide have died from H1N1 swine flu, the virus does not appear to be as deadly as many people expected.
According to the news website, Medical News Today, some European politicians have accused the World Health Organisation (WHO) of exaggerating the dangers of swine flu.
They said a WHO spokeswoman in Geneva acknowledged there were questions that needed answers and that a review of how the WHO handled the pandemic would be done with independent experts and would be made public.
However, they will wait until the pandemic is declared over, so it could be months yet before any report emerges.
Many mainland Europe countries are also looking to cut back on orders of vaccine or sell a large part of their stockpile as they think pharmaceutical companies put excessive pressure on them to stock-up initially.
This week too, the UK Government formally also abandoned its weekly swine flu briefings after new cases plunged over the past month prompting the Department of Health to abandon its regular media briefing.
(BMcC/GK)
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06 January 2011
NI Swine Flu Cases Accelerating
Swine flu, the H1N1 virus is firmly back in the news as new cases continue to rise. A significant jump in infections recorded in Northern Ireland has seen the number of people treated for swine flu increase from 136 to 185 in the last week of 2010.
NI Swine Flu Cases Accelerating
Swine flu, the H1N1 virus is firmly back in the news as new cases continue to rise. A significant jump in infections recorded in Northern Ireland has seen the number of people treated for swine flu increase from 136 to 185 in the last week of 2010.
17 December 2009
Shock Reminder Of Deadly Flu Virus
Although GP consultation rates for flu or flu-like symptoms continued their decrease - being down by 19% in the past week - there's been a shocking reminder of the possible deadly consequences of catching swine flu.
Shock Reminder Of Deadly Flu Virus
Although GP consultation rates for flu or flu-like symptoms continued their decrease - being down by 19% in the past week - there's been a shocking reminder of the possible deadly consequences of catching swine flu.
06 August 2009
Further Swine Flu Cases Confirmed
Lab tested cases of swine flu across Northern Ireland continue to rise. However, while many more people have been diagnosed as swine flu sufferers, the number of laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu have risen by just 16 - a far lower rate of increase than anywhere else in the British Isles.
Further Swine Flu Cases Confirmed
Lab tested cases of swine flu across Northern Ireland continue to rise. However, while many more people have been diagnosed as swine flu sufferers, the number of laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu have risen by just 16 - a far lower rate of increase than anywhere else in the British Isles.
27 January 2011
Swine Flu Claims Three More Irish Lives
While the health protection authorities have said the swine flu virus "has peaked" there were still two more deaths in Northern Ireland from swine flu last week and a further fatality across the Irish border.
Swine Flu Claims Three More Irish Lives
While the health protection authorities have said the swine flu virus "has peaked" there were still two more deaths in Northern Ireland from swine flu last week and a further fatality across the Irish border.
05 February 2010
Swine Flu Cases Still Falling
The level of flu activity across Northern Ireland has again dropped. The Department of Health's weekly flu bulletin - covering the week ending Friday 29 January shows that GP consultation rates for flu have decreased from 23.2/100,000 population to 18.1/100,000 -a 22% decrease.
Swine Flu Cases Still Falling
The level of flu activity across Northern Ireland has again dropped. The Department of Health's weekly flu bulletin - covering the week ending Friday 29 January shows that GP consultation rates for flu have decreased from 23.2/100,000 population to 18.1/100,000 -a 22% decrease.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
