Influenza activity decreased in Ireland during week 11 2014

Update by Dr J Gallagher, Employment health Advisors (EHA): Influenza activity decreased in Ireland during week 11 2014, however remained at elevated levels, with continuing reports of confirmed influenza hospital and ICU admissions and outbreaks. Influenza A(H3) is the predominant virus circulating. The sentinel GP ILI consultation rate was 38.2 per 100,000 population during week 11 2014, a slight decrease compared to the updated rate of 49 per 100,000 during week 10 2014. ILI rates remain above the Irish baseline threshold (21.0 per 100,000 population), for the seventh consecutive week. The highest age specific ILI rates during week 11 2014 were in those aged 65 years and older; age specific rates in all other age groups decreased. Influenza positivity decreased during week 11 2014, with 84 (22.6%) influenza positive specimens reported from the NVRL: 54 influenza A(H3), 29 influenza A(H1)pdm09 and one influenza A (not subtyped). The highest age specific rates for confirmed influenza cases admitted to hospital were in those aged less than 1 year and those aged 65 years and older. 20 influenza-associated deaths were reported to HPSC to date this season. 10 acute respiratory outbreaks were reported to HPSC during week 11 2014, the majority in residential care facilities/long stay units/community hospitals. Based on various influenza indicators, the status of the 2013/2014 influenza season has varied considerably across EU/EEA Member States in terms of the phase of the epidemic, its intensity and the dominant virus subtype.