Northern Ireland

More than 400 people diagnosed with swine flu since October

A total of 424 people have been diagnosed with swine flu since October
A total of 424 people have been diagnosed with swine flu since October A total of 424 people have been diagnosed with swine flu since October

MORE than 400 people have been diagnosed with swine flu since the start of the influenza season in October, the Public Health Agency has said.

A total of 819 patients in Northern Ireland have contracted flu since October 1- more than half of which were diagnosed with the swine flu strain.

A spokeswoman for the agency said since the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, first emerged a decade ago it has become one of the common flu viruses to circulate around the world.

"The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging all eligible people whose health could be seriously affected by flu to get the free flu vaccine to help reduce the potential impact of the illness in the first place," she said.

"GPs across Northern Ireland are offering flu vaccination to everyone over 65, pregnant women, people under 65 with underlying health conditions and all 2-4 year olds.

"Even if you currently feel fit and healthy, but belong to one of the ‘at risk’ groups, you will be at increased risk of flu and should receive the free vaccine.

"It is also important to remember that the strains of flu virus can vary from year to year, which is why you need to get the vaccination every year, so even if you received the vaccine during the 2017/18 programme, you still need to get the vaccination for the 2018/19 flu season.

"While we advise people to get vaccinated before flu starts to circulate, there’s still time to get the jab before the number of cases increases."