12/11/2009

Another Death From Swine Flu

While another person in Northern Ireland who had tested positive for swine flu has died, the Department of Health has said, consultations with family doctors in NI over suspected swine flu are slowing.

The Department of Health revealed the news as it published a new flu bulletin for Northern Ireland.

The bulletin includes data for the week ending Friday 6 November (Week 45) and gives a good representation of the level of flu activity across Northern Ireland.

It found that GP consultation rates have decreased from 242.9 (updated) in Wk 44 to 221.0/100,000 population in Wk 45 (9% decrease).

However, rates remain highest in the 5-14 year age group.

There were 153 swine influenza detections in the past week, compared to 215 in Wk 44, representing a 29% decrease.

This means a cumulative total of 1,220 swine influenza detections in Northern Ireland as at noon 11th November 2009.

At the same time, a cumulative total of 527 hospitalised swine flu cases are being reported but the number of new hospitalised cases decreased from 87 (updated) in Wk 44 to 50 in Wk 45 (43% decrease).

A spokesman said: "We have been notified of the death of an adult with underlying health conditions who has tested positive for swine flu, bringing the total number of swine flu related deaths to 11."

That means 13 NI people have now died, as two people from here contracted the virus while away, and then died elsewhere.

(BMcC/KMcA)

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