Dear All

We were beaten to the first positive flu specimen by non-sentinel sources this year.  And from sentinel sources there was a 4 way tie this year last week.  See below from the HPSC

“There were four practices reporting positive flu cases in week 46, located in Meath, Dublin and Killarney. Many thanks to the GPs from HPSC.

GP Code No
112
131
186
189

We have also had confirmed flu outbreaks in the Southeast and South. We therefore have low levels of flu activity in several locations in East, Southeast and South.   To date it looks likely that AH3 will predominate, which generally affects the elderly more than other age groups and results in more outbreaks in residential care facilities, than seasons when AH1pdm09 predominates. “

Well done to those sites.

The network continues to perform well, thank you to everybody.  A few brief reminders

• Please ensure a timely return by sending your returns on a Monday morning.
• Remember ( other than iMove sites ) one swab maximum per week.
• Please ensure you use the current season form for swabbing and in particular make sure your practice ID is on the form.
• Please give instructions on participation to any new staff especially new doctors.  There are links here to the instructions

 

Sometime in the near future we are looking to develop automatic returning of data which should make the job easier, more news on this later.

 

Michael Joyce / Olga Levis