April 25th 2009

The Health Service Executive and the Department of Health and Children met today to review the cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 that have been identified in the United States and Mexico.

Public Health officials from the HSE and the Health Protection Surveillance Centre are carefully monitoring reports of these cases and remain in close contact with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Control (ECDC).

Dr. Kevin Kelleher, head of Health Protection with the HSE said 'ECDC and the World Health Organisation has confirmed that no cases of this illness have occurred in Europe, but that we should continue to closely follow the emerging situation.'

Human cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 have been identified in the United States and Mexico.

In the U.S., 6 cases have been confirmed in California (San Diego County and Imperial County) and 2 cases in San Antonio, Texas. The first cases had onset of illness in late March. All cases had a mild influenza-like illness. No deaths have been reported.

There have been no cases of swine flu identified in Ireland or anywhere in Europe.

In Mexico, three separate events have been reported. In the Federal District of Mexico, surveillance began picking up cases of influenza-like illness from 18 March and there have been more than 854 cases of pneumonia identified as of 23 April. Of these, 59 have died. In San Luis Potosi, in central Mexico, 24 cases of influenza-like illness, with 3 deaths, have been reported. In Mexicali, near the border with the U.S., 4 cases of influenza-like illness, with no deaths, have been reported. Of the Mexican cases, 18 have been laboratory confirmed as swine influenza A/H1N1, with 12 of these being genetically identical to the swine influenza A/H1N1 viruses from California. This virus has not been previously detected in pigs or humans.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with similar swine influenza viruses. The virus appears to have spread from human to human. It is not yet clear how easily it spreads.

Dr. Kelleher added 'One important precaution being adopted is to ensure that health systems worldwide rapidly develop familiarity with this new virus. This will allow for the careful surveillance that WHO and ECDC has recommended. WHO, ECDC and all EU member states will be working together to provide support and advice on this issue.'

Signs and symptoms of this virus have consisted of influenza-like illness - fever and respiratory tract illness (cough, sore throat, runny nose), headache, muscle aches - and some cases have had vomiting and diarrhoea.

If you develop an influenza-like illness and have recently returned from Mexico, California or Texas (within 7 days), you should telephone your family doctor.

As with any infectious disease, the following precautionary measures are recommended:

• Cover your nose and mouth with disposable single-use tissues when sneezing, coughing, wiping and blowing your nose
• Dispose of used tissues in the nearest waste bin
• Wash your hands after coughing, sneezing, using tissues, or contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects
• Keep your hands away from the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth
• If you are sick with flu, stay at home to avoid spreading infection to others

There are currently no travel restrictions advised, but the situation is under active review by the World Health Organization (WHO).

For the latest update from WHO

For further information and updates from the United States CDC

25 April 2009 - 19:00 hours

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