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Northern Ireland Flu Cases Plummet After December Peak
8 Jan
Summary
- Flu cases in Northern Ireland dropped to 509 last week from 625.
- County Londonderry school saw 170 pupils absent due to sickness.
- Vaccines are effective, with hospital admissions down significantly.
Flu cases in Northern Ireland have seen a notable decrease in recent weeks, with official figures showing 509 confirmed cases in the last week, down from 625 the week prior. This decline follows a surge that peaked at 1,227 cases in the week ending December 7, during which a County Londonderry primary school reported 170 pupils absent due to sickness on a single day.
The Public Health Agency (PHA) noted that the influenza infection rate fell to 26.5 cases per 100,000 people, a reduction from 32.8 per 100,000. Flu-related emergency hospital admissions also decreased to 265 last week, from 302 the preceding week, indicating a positive trend.
Despite the encouraging fall in numbers, health officials stress the importance of continued vigilance in reducing viral transmission. They highlight that while younger adults aged 15-44 were most likely to test positive, older adults, particularly those aged 75 and over, faced the highest risk of severe illness and hospital admission. The effectiveness of this season's flu vaccine in preventing hospitalizations is also confirmed by data from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
