Current Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 (Swine Flu) situation [DOHC.ie]
- Published: 13 August 2009
As a result of recent changes in the diagnosis and treatment of Pandemic (H1N1) 2009, patients are now diagnosed and managed clinically by their General Practitioner. Swabs will, therefore, no longer be routinely taken from patients and sent for viral testing. The number of laboratory confirmed cases has, therefore, ceased to be a reliable indicator of the burden of infection.
As of 29th July 2009, an estimated number of cases will be provided based on information derived from the National Influenza Sentinel GP Surveillance Network and reported on a weekly basis through the websites of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health and Children. This gives a good estimate of the numbers of cases of influenza like illness being seen by GPs.
This system shows that influenza like illness rates have increased in recent weeks and the latest of these reports a rate of 33.1 cases per 100,000 population in the week ending 9th August 2009. By way of context, the peak reported Influenza like illness rate during last winter was approximately 120 per 100,000.
Read More: http://www.dohc.ie/issues/swine_influenza/
