Menu
29/04/2009
Ireland 'Not Ready' To Tackle Swine Flu
It has been revealed that the Department of Health do not believe Ireland has all the necessary elements in place to tackle swine flu, should a pandemic emerge.
An internal document at the department last year warned there was a risk to the public due to a lack of cover arrangements in the event of an infectious disease outbreak.
A dispute with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has led to the lack of weekend or evening cover from specialist public health doctors who are essential to tackling such viruses.
The four cases in Ireland yesterday all returned negative results, but although Ireland remains clear of the virus, it's not clear if the health service is fully capable of dealing with an outbreak.
The Department of Health and Children said yesterday it is likely that following yesterday's raising of the pandemic alert level from III to IV (with a level V probable), the numbers of confirmed cases worldwide will likely continue to increase.
However, a spokesman added the alert level increase was anticipated in the context of the department's own national influenza preparedness.
The spokesman said: "Since receipt of the alert, a range of measures have been put into place in response to the swine flu outbreak.
"The Department is the lead government department for public health emergencies and is following the National Plan for Pandemic Influenza which was put in place in January 2007."
The HSE said today Ireland has been preparing for situations like this for several years, and have robust and detailed plans in place to respond.
"The H1N1 swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs of which we have in place ample stockpiles for Ireland," their spokesman said.
The HSE also issued a list of precautions to take to avoid infection:
"If travelling in an affected country, there are certain sensible precautions you can take: Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, coughing or shivering: Pay close attention to the health messages being broadcast in the country in which you are travelling: As with most infectious diseases it is important to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, or alcohol based hand cleaners."
If you get sick with a flu-like illness, and have recently visited an affected area or have been in contact with a known case of swine flu, the HSE advise you contact your GP or family doctor by telephone where they will decide if you need testing or treatment.
See: Ten Cases Of 'Swine Flu' Test Negative
(DW/BMcc)
An internal document at the department last year warned there was a risk to the public due to a lack of cover arrangements in the event of an infectious disease outbreak.
A dispute with the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) has led to the lack of weekend or evening cover from specialist public health doctors who are essential to tackling such viruses.
The four cases in Ireland yesterday all returned negative results, but although Ireland remains clear of the virus, it's not clear if the health service is fully capable of dealing with an outbreak.
The Department of Health and Children said yesterday it is likely that following yesterday's raising of the pandemic alert level from III to IV (with a level V probable), the numbers of confirmed cases worldwide will likely continue to increase.
However, a spokesman added the alert level increase was anticipated in the context of the department's own national influenza preparedness.
The spokesman said: "Since receipt of the alert, a range of measures have been put into place in response to the swine flu outbreak.
"The Department is the lead government department for public health emergencies and is following the National Plan for Pandemic Influenza which was put in place in January 2007."
The HSE said today Ireland has been preparing for situations like this for several years, and have robust and detailed plans in place to respond.
"The H1N1 swine flu virus is sensitive to the antiviral drugs of which we have in place ample stockpiles for Ireland," their spokesman said.
The HSE also issued a list of precautions to take to avoid infection:
"If travelling in an affected country, there are certain sensible precautions you can take: Avoid close contact with people who have symptoms such as fever, sneezing, coughing or shivering: Pay close attention to the health messages being broadcast in the country in which you are travelling: As with most infectious diseases it is important to wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, or alcohol based hand cleaners."
If you get sick with a flu-like illness, and have recently visited an affected area or have been in contact with a known case of swine flu, the HSE advise you contact your GP or family doctor by telephone where they will decide if you need testing or treatment.
See: Ten Cases Of 'Swine Flu' Test Negative
(DW/BMcc)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 January 2011
Swine Flu Claims Three More Irish Lives
While the health protection authorities have said the swine flu virus "has peaked" there were still two more deaths in the North from swine flu last week and a further fatality in the Republic.
Swine Flu Claims Three More Irish Lives
While the health protection authorities have said the swine flu virus "has peaked" there were still two more deaths in the North from swine flu last week and a further fatality in the Republic.
28 July 2009
Man Critically Ill With Swine Flu
A man in his 30s is critically ill in St James's Hospital in Dublin suffering from swine flu. The man, who is originally from Bratislava in Slovakia, was admitted to hospital late last week with the H1N1 virus. The hospital said that the man, who has been working in Ireland for several years, is in a critical condition.
Man Critically Ill With Swine Flu
A man in his 30s is critically ill in St James's Hospital in Dublin suffering from swine flu. The man, who is originally from Bratislava in Slovakia, was admitted to hospital late last week with the H1N1 virus. The hospital said that the man, who has been working in Ireland for several years, is in a critical condition.
07 January 2011
Swine Flu Kills 13 People in North
The Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland has confirmed that more than a dozen people have died there from swine flu since 1 November 2010. A PHA statement said that the youngest fatality was a seven-year-old child and the oldest was 67-years-old and that only nine of the 13 tragic victims had underlying medical conditions.
Swine Flu Kills 13 People in North
The Public Health Agency (PHA) in Northern Ireland has confirmed that more than a dozen people have died there from swine flu since 1 November 2010. A PHA statement said that the youngest fatality was a seven-year-old child and the oldest was 67-years-old and that only nine of the 13 tragic victims had underlying medical conditions.
20 October 2009
Swine Flu Vaccine 'Safe', Say Officials
Officials from the Department of Health have issued a reassurance that swine flu vaccine is safe, after concerns in Germany about a medicine, which has been ordered for use in Ireland. Concern began to mount after a German medical organisation advised against using Pandemrix over concerns about the safety of a booster substance used in it.
Swine Flu Vaccine 'Safe', Say Officials
Officials from the Department of Health have issued a reassurance that swine flu vaccine is safe, after concerns in Germany about a medicine, which has been ordered for use in Ireland. Concern began to mount after a German medical organisation advised against using Pandemrix over concerns about the safety of a booster substance used in it.
31 July 2009
Foreign Students Quarantined On Swine Flu
Seven language students are in quarantine at a Dublin university after being suspected of contracting swine flu. The teenagers, who are believed to be Italian, were attending English language classes at University College Dublin and have ben confined to on-campus residences.
Foreign Students Quarantined On Swine Flu
Seven language students are in quarantine at a Dublin university after being suspected of contracting swine flu. The teenagers, who are believed to be Italian, were attending English language classes at University College Dublin and have ben confined to on-campus residences.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A dry and sunny start but cloud bubbling up with a few showers developing from late morning. Becoming dry and sunny along the east coast in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Showers gradually die out to leave good clear spells in the evening and overnight. This will allow a few fog patches to develop in places. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
