‘Still early days’ as fourth swine flu case emerges
Reported June 01, 2009
A MAN from the south of the country who recently returned from a visit to New York yesterday became the fourth confirmed victim of swine flu.
The HSE again warned anyone showing signs of the virus to come forward as details of the newest case emerged.
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer at the Department of Health, said the man is currently being treated for the influenza strain and “all necessary public health protection measures are being taken”.
He said the new case is unconnected with the three previous cases of Influenza Type A (H1N1) confirmed in Ireland.
The last two victims of swine flu were women living in the east who had also recently returned from New York.
The first case was a man in the east who had returned home from Mexico.
A HSE spokesperson said the man, who has just tested positive, has agreed to remain at home while he is treated for the virus.
“More cases have been reported around the world and in the UK,” she said.
“We expect more to pop up and it’s still relatively early days for the virus.
“We are still not ruling out an epidemic but will wait and see if it is branded level six by the World Health Organisation, when it would then be seen as a pandemic.”
However, the Government has lifted a ban on non-essential travel to Mexico as health officials believe the risk has receded.
The Department of Health and the HSE yesterday reminded people to throw tissues in the bin after use and thoroughly wash their hands.
Anyone who has visited an affected area and become ill with flu-like symptoms is asked to make contact with their GP by telephone and not turn up unannounced at a doctor’s surgery or A&E department.