Flu cases decrease in Northern Ireland over Christmas holidays following winter spike
Influenza and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) activity has decreased across the majority of surveillance indicators, while Covid-19 activity remains low and stable, the PHA said.A week 52 summary, from 22-28 December, details 624 unique episodes of influenza. For RSV, 103 unique episodes were identified and for Covid-19 there were 36.That compares to the peak in cases during the last week of November and start of December. In week 49, December 1-7, there were 1,227 positive flu cases, 131 RSV cases and 62 Covid.As the peak struck, Ebrington Primary School in Derry had 170 pupils off due to sickness, which forced the principal to consider a part closure on health and safety grounds.The downward trajectory of cases reflects a trend across the UK.British Medical Association NI Council chair Dr Alan Stout said: “It’s good to see cases going down with fewer people being admitted to hospital easing the pressure on the system.Dr Alan Stout“However there are still a lot of cases in the community. Flu season normally has 2-3 spikes and while the next spikes should be less severe we would still recommend those who can get the vaccine."PHA chart showing a spike in cases at the end of November/start of December, before dropping over recent weeksSeasonal influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a contagious viral infection that re-emerges each year during the colder months.Caused by influenza viruses, the flu spreads through respiratory droplets when infected individuals cough, sneeze, or talk.There are two main types of influenza that cause illness, A which usually causes more severe illness and B which can also cause infection and is more common in children, but is generally milder.Influenza and RSV episode rates across council areas show that Derry City & Strabane had the highest influenza episode rate in week 52 at 43.8 per 100,000 population.Ards and North Down had the highest RSV episode rate in week 52 at 10.4 per 100,000 population.There were 2,838 total influenza tests with 23.3% positivity and 1,182 RSV tests performed with 9.0% positivity.For Covid-19, there were 2,795 tests performed and a much lower positivity rate at 1.4%.Total positivity was highest in the 15-44 age group for influenza at 30.8% positivity, the 0-4 age group for RSV at 37.8% positivity and the 75+ age group for Covid-19 at 1.9% positivity.News Catch Up - Wednesday 31 December There were four confirmed outbreaks reported in care home settings to the PHA.Of the 272 new community-acquired emergency admissions, 215 were influenza A, one was influenza B, 43 were RSV and 13 were Covid-19.Community-acquired emergency admission rates were highest in the 75+ age group for influenza at 55.4 per 100,000 population, the 0-4 age group for RSV at 34.5 per 100,000 population and the 75+ age group for Covid-19 at 4.6 per 100,000 population.Community-acquired emergency influenza inpatients increased post-holidays to levels similar to previous weeks.Community-acquired emergency RSV and Covid-19 inpatients have remained stable.The PHA said the 2025/26 influenza vaccine provides good protection against influenza A hospital admissions.
