01/05/2009
Flu Now Spead By 'Humans'
The first case of human-to-human transfer of swine flu in Britain is expected to be confirmed today.
The escalation comes as the Republic of Ireland registered a case of swine flu as well.
However, the man had recently returned from Mexico where he is thought to have contracted the illness, rather than getting it by local contact.
He is confined to his home at the east of the country and is recovering well after having been administered anti-viral drug Tami-flu.
Irish health officials said the people who have been in contact with the man have also received anti-viral treatment.
In Northern Ireland there are still no confirmed cases of a swine flu outbreak as 14 cases were proved to be negative, although NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, yesterday reported six new suspected cases.
They are awaiting test results and are being treated with anti-viral drugs.
At a briefing at Stormont, McGimpsey assured MLAs that protective clothing is being sent out to doctor's surgeries and should all be equipped by Friday.
The Minister added: "We have also purchased enough anti-virals to treat up to 50% of the population and are rapidly moving to buy enough to treat 75%.
"Our main message to the public is not to be alarmed about recent developments – but to be prepared for a potential pandemic," he said.
However, news of the first case of human-to-human transfer of swine flu in Britain was also expected to be confirmed today.
An unnamed man fell ill after being in contact with Iain and Dawn Askham, of Polmont, near Falkirk - Britain's first confirmed victims of the disease - when they returned from their Mexican honeymoon.
The new victim was initially cleared but continued to show symptoms and further tests confirmed he was suffering from Type A flu.
He has received anti-viral drugs and has been treated at home. More tests are expected to confirm that he is suffering from swine flu.
Meanwhile, according to the Mexican newspaper El Universal, the Mexican Health Secretary confirmed yesterday 52 more cases, stepping up to 312 the total figure of infected people by swine flu in the country. The number of deaths remain at 12.
Twelve is also the number of the total countries that are now affected by swine flu. This includes the Netherlands and Switzerland, which also reported their first cases yesterday.
See: Pandemic Level Alert Now One Step Below Global
(AC/BmcC)
The escalation comes as the Republic of Ireland registered a case of swine flu as well.
However, the man had recently returned from Mexico where he is thought to have contracted the illness, rather than getting it by local contact.
He is confined to his home at the east of the country and is recovering well after having been administered anti-viral drug Tami-flu.
Irish health officials said the people who have been in contact with the man have also received anti-viral treatment.
In Northern Ireland there are still no confirmed cases of a swine flu outbreak as 14 cases were proved to be negative, although NI Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, yesterday reported six new suspected cases.
They are awaiting test results and are being treated with anti-viral drugs.
At a briefing at Stormont, McGimpsey assured MLAs that protective clothing is being sent out to doctor's surgeries and should all be equipped by Friday.
The Minister added: "We have also purchased enough anti-virals to treat up to 50% of the population and are rapidly moving to buy enough to treat 75%.
"Our main message to the public is not to be alarmed about recent developments – but to be prepared for a potential pandemic," he said.
However, news of the first case of human-to-human transfer of swine flu in Britain was also expected to be confirmed today.
An unnamed man fell ill after being in contact with Iain and Dawn Askham, of Polmont, near Falkirk - Britain's first confirmed victims of the disease - when they returned from their Mexican honeymoon.
The new victim was initially cleared but continued to show symptoms and further tests confirmed he was suffering from Type A flu.
He has received anti-viral drugs and has been treated at home. More tests are expected to confirm that he is suffering from swine flu.
Meanwhile, according to the Mexican newspaper El Universal, the Mexican Health Secretary confirmed yesterday 52 more cases, stepping up to 312 the total figure of infected people by swine flu in the country. The number of deaths remain at 12.
Twelve is also the number of the total countries that are now affected by swine flu. This includes the Netherlands and Switzerland, which also reported their first cases yesterday.
See: Pandemic Level Alert Now One Step Below Global
(AC/BmcC)
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27 July 2009
Tamiflu Prescribed For First Time
An antiviral drug is now being dispensed in NI for the first time. As more people are falling ill with suspected swine flu, Tamiflu is going to patients who present with symptoms.
Tamiflu Prescribed For First Time
An antiviral drug is now being dispensed in NI for the first time. As more people are falling ill with suspected swine flu, Tamiflu is going to patients who present with symptoms.
14 August 2009
Swine Flu: Latest NI Figures
As the priority groups who will be first to receive the swine flu vaccine were being revealed today, the Department of Health has also published the weekly flu bulletin. There were 12 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during week 32, (last week) but the total number of such clinically tested cases in Northern Ireland has yet to reach 100.
Swine Flu: Latest NI Figures
As the priority groups who will be first to receive the swine flu vaccine were being revealed today, the Department of Health has also published the weekly flu bulletin. There were 12 new cases of laboratory confirmed swine flu during week 32, (last week) but the total number of such clinically tested cases in Northern Ireland has yet to reach 100.
02 October 2009
Highest Levels Of Swine Flu Reached
The number of visits being made to local GPs by people who fear swine flu infection is continuing to rise. Amid fears of a 'second wave' of infections, the Department of Health's latest weekly flu bulletin - for the week ending Friday 25 September, gives a good representation of the level of flu activity across Northern Ireland.
Highest Levels Of Swine Flu Reached
The number of visits being made to local GPs by people who fear swine flu infection is continuing to rise. Amid fears of a 'second wave' of infections, the Department of Health's latest weekly flu bulletin - for the week ending Friday 25 September, gives a good representation of the level of flu activity across Northern Ireland.
29 October 2009
Swine Flu Infections Nears 900
As a young Omagh mum with swine flu fights for her life in a London hospital, the Department of Health has today published the NI swine flu bulletin.
Swine Flu Infections Nears 900
As a young Omagh mum with swine flu fights for her life in a London hospital, the Department of Health has today published the NI swine flu bulletin.
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.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.