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15/09/2009
Second NI Swine Flu Tragedy
The second person to have died in Northern Ireland from swine flu may have been an infant.
Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said he had been informed by a Trust of a possible death associated with the virus - and while there are no firm details - there's speculation the deceased was a baby.
Last month, a woman from Co Antrim became the first person to die from the virus in Northern Ireland.
Caroline Hoy from Ahoghill passed away in a Northern Ireland hospital and it is understood she had an underlying health condition, believed to be cancer.
Although this death was the first of a person actually within NI, Lee Porter, a soldier from Coleraine, Co Londonderry, died from swine flu at a hospital in Surrey on 31 July.
Mr McGimpsey has also been updating MLAs on the swine flu outbreak in general.
Speaking in the Assembly today he said: "Worldwide there have been over 275,000 cases and over 3,000 deaths.
"Within the UK there have been more than 70 deaths," he continued, but noted that, "the illness continues to be mild and self-limiting, although for some people it can be severe".
"To date, in Northern Ireland we have had 217 laboratory confirmed cases," he explained.
"However, the actual number of cases is much higher with almost 9,000 courses of antivirals prescribed to people clinically diagnosed with swine flu.
"In addition, the number of people consulting their GP with flu-like symptoms is significantly higher than in previous years at this time.
"Up to now, 94 people have been hospitalised with swine flu in Northern Ireland," he said.
Tragically though he continued: "I have also been informed of a second death possibly associated with swine flu.
"Obviously every death is tragic and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family.
"Members will understand and respect that it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at this time," he said.
The Minister said that the scientific experts are preparing for a future surge in cases later this year and potentially for a more severe pandemic strain. He said: "We now know more about the virus and its effects and have been able to revise our planning assumptions.
"We have gathered more information from experiences of the pandemic in the UK and internationally.
"This has allowed us to refine our reasonable worst case scenario. Timing of a possible pandemic wave has also been reassessed," he said, noting that, in the worst case scenario, he expected around 30% of the Northern Ireland population to be affected by the virus in a future wave.
"That means around over 500,000 people, or one-third of the population, may become ill with swine flu over the course of the next wave.
"In addition, potentially 5,000 people may be hospitalised due to the virus and up to 525 could die," he cautioned.
"During the peak week, as many as 113,000 people could be affected. These are not predictions, but assumptions, which enable us to plan for the very worst that could happen.
"Scientists have now advised that a substantial peak in the virus may occur in mid or late October," he said.
See: 'Sadness' As Swine Flu Death Revealed
(BMcC/GK)
Stormont Health Minister Michael McGimpsey said he had been informed by a Trust of a possible death associated with the virus - and while there are no firm details - there's speculation the deceased was a baby.
Last month, a woman from Co Antrim became the first person to die from the virus in Northern Ireland.
Caroline Hoy from Ahoghill passed away in a Northern Ireland hospital and it is understood she had an underlying health condition, believed to be cancer.
Although this death was the first of a person actually within NI, Lee Porter, a soldier from Coleraine, Co Londonderry, died from swine flu at a hospital in Surrey on 31 July.
Mr McGimpsey has also been updating MLAs on the swine flu outbreak in general.
Speaking in the Assembly today he said: "Worldwide there have been over 275,000 cases and over 3,000 deaths.
"Within the UK there have been more than 70 deaths," he continued, but noted that, "the illness continues to be mild and self-limiting, although for some people it can be severe".
"To date, in Northern Ireland we have had 217 laboratory confirmed cases," he explained.
"However, the actual number of cases is much higher with almost 9,000 courses of antivirals prescribed to people clinically diagnosed with swine flu.
"In addition, the number of people consulting their GP with flu-like symptoms is significantly higher than in previous years at this time.
"Up to now, 94 people have been hospitalised with swine flu in Northern Ireland," he said.
Tragically though he continued: "I have also been informed of a second death possibly associated with swine flu.
"Obviously every death is tragic and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family.
"Members will understand and respect that it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at this time," he said.
The Minister said that the scientific experts are preparing for a future surge in cases later this year and potentially for a more severe pandemic strain. He said: "We now know more about the virus and its effects and have been able to revise our planning assumptions.
"We have gathered more information from experiences of the pandemic in the UK and internationally.
"This has allowed us to refine our reasonable worst case scenario. Timing of a possible pandemic wave has also been reassessed," he said, noting that, in the worst case scenario, he expected around 30% of the Northern Ireland population to be affected by the virus in a future wave.
"That means around over 500,000 people, or one-third of the population, may become ill with swine flu over the course of the next wave.
"In addition, potentially 5,000 people may be hospitalised due to the virus and up to 525 could die," he cautioned.
"During the peak week, as many as 113,000 people could be affected. These are not predictions, but assumptions, which enable us to plan for the very worst that could happen.
"Scientists have now advised that a substantial peak in the virus may occur in mid or late October," he said.
See: 'Sadness' As Swine Flu Death Revealed
(BMcC/GK)
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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.
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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 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.
10 January 2011
Fresh Tragedy As NI's Swine Flu Level Rises
Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency (PHA) has made a new pledge to update the public on the number of people to have died from the swine flu virus - with the first news being that another person in NI has died from the infection.
Fresh Tragedy As NI's Swine Flu Level Rises
Northern Ireland's Public Health Agency (PHA) has made a new pledge to update the public on the number of people to have died from the swine flu virus - with the first news being that another person in NI has died from the infection.
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.
