HSE revealed how many people died of swine flu

The HSE revealed that nine people died this winter because of the flu in Ireland.

Two of these deaths occurred in the first two weeks of this year, according to an HSE update.

This flu is widespread this year and is known as the H1N1 virus or swine flu which, in previous years, had a negative impact on the country.

It is the same virus that caused a pandemic nationwide in 2009.

Dr. John Cuddity, Director of Public Health at HSE, encourages people at risk of contracting this influenza strain to get vaccinated.

He told the Irish Daily Mail: "It is not yet too late for people at risk to use the vaccine because we expect to see the flu circulating for several more weeks this season."

254 people were admitted to hospital during the second week of January because of swine flu.

This represents a 68% increase over the 151 entries in the first week of the month, according to HSE figures.

Cuddity said: "The age group mainly affected by this phenomenon is that of the under-fives and the second-most affected age group, in terms of hospitalization, is that of the more than 65 years."

During this winter, 545 people were admitted to the flu and 45 were placed in intensive care units.

The HSE also reported that the number of people visiting their GP for influenza-related illnesses has increased significantly this winter.

They said the numbers went from 34 per 100,000 to 49 per 100,000.

Cuddity continued, "Sometimes it can be an early indicator of capping influenza-like illness, but it's still too early to tell when this rate will peak."