RT Archives | Health | Flu Outbreak – RTE.ie

Ireland experiences an outbreak of a severe form of the influenza virus.

The National Disease Surveillance Centre appeals to older people, the sick and other at-risk groups along with healthcare workers to get vaccinated against the flu virus. Indications are that the outbreak could be as bad as three years ago when 51 people died.

Within the past two weeks, the number of cases of the most severe strain of flu, influenza A, has doubled.

Concern over the outbreak has increased following the death of five children in Britain as a result of the virus over the past two months. Despite the serious nature of the virus, Dr Darina O Flanagan of the National Disease Surveillance Centre wants to reassure parents that deaths are very rare and in almost all cases, children make a full recovery. Children who are vulnerable should attend their GP for vaccination.

Influenza symptoms can develop quickly and include a high temperature, sore muscles, and a feeling of weakness.

An RT News report broadcast on 5 November 2003. The reporter is Annette O'Donnell.

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RT Archives | Health | Flu Outbreak - RTE.ie

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