Be aware of the symptoms.
A few months back, Ireland first got warning of the H3N2 virus in Australia and New Zealand aka the "Aussie Flu" - with both countries currently recovering from their worst outbreaks on record, and that the virus would most likely make it our way, becoming the worst flu season on record.
Just yesterday it was revealed that
Conor McGregor himself had caught the virus, detailing in an Instagram post published on Monday morning: "Well that was a wild New Year's Eve. Half the family hit with the Australian flu virus and some even left in hospital with it. I've never even been to Australia wtf."
And now, a TD has doubled down on the health warning following confirming from the HSE that the "Aussie Flu" had led to a number of deaths.
Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher issued a warning to Minister Simon Harris on the Fianna Fáil website, asking that the resources are in place to deal with a possible surge in the number of people being admitted to hospital following a spike in the number of “Aussie flu” cases.
As per
his statement:
"Warnings about the severity of this flu virus were issued months ago, when it first surfaced in Australia, now it appears as if the strain is taking hold here, with 73 people having been hospitalised so far this winter. The fact that a number of deaths have now been recorded is particularly worrying."
"The HSE is continuing to encourage people to get the flu vaccine – especially those in high risk groups."
"Older people, children, and people with underlying health conditions are at particular risk and it’s feared that the number of cases here could rise dramatically over the coming weeks. I am concerned that any significant increase in cases could pose a serious threat to our already overburdened hospital system."
"In the majority of cases, this flu, while serious, can be treated at home. However there will always be more severe cases, which will need acute medical intervention."
"There are a number of hospitals across the country, whose Emergency Departments are at breaking point. If a predicted surge in serious flu cases comes to pass, these departments will struggle to cope. I am calling for assurances from Minister Harris and the HSE that we are fully prepared to deal with any possible outbreak, and that a management plan and resources are in place to control the situation."
While the symptoms of "Aussie Flu" are similar to the regular flu, they are usually more intense, and while the regular flu should run through your system within a week, if your symptoms persist for more than seven days, check with your doctor to ensure you haven't contracted the new virus.
Aussie flu can lead to pneumonia and other potentially fatal complications, and initial symptoms to look out for include:
- Sore throat and cough
- Headache
- Fever
- Muscle ache
- Fatigue
- Runny nose and sneezing
